"That's Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer doing his level best to scare the
bejesus out of corporate buyers who might think Linux looks good.
Of course, Microsoft upped the ante a few weeks ago by expanding its
intellectual property indemnification program in an obvious attempt to
appeal to customer paranoia and to a greater or lesser extent it will work.
But how big is the risk from open source software? As with much of
Microsoft's spin these days, Ballmer was being, shall we say,
"economical with the truth.""
" "More specifically, the study found that not a single software patent
fully reviewed and validated by the courts is infringed by the Linux
kernel." Ah-ha!"
"Two things need to happen. First, we need the laws changed to make
software patents less easily abused. Second, we need Microsoft to stop
with the incessant spin doctoring. Enough is enough, Steve!
I believe there is a chance for the first thing to happen. There's a lot
of pressure from U.S. developers and from the European Union to create a
more rational patent system. As for the second, I hold out very little
hope."
<http://www.nwfusion.com/columnists/2004/112904backspin.html>
©2004 Bill Anderson |
