Microsoft Will Not Sue Over Linux Patents

San Muel writes "In an official statement, Microsoft has said it has no immediate plans to sue after alleging patent infringements by open-source vendors for the time being. The company goes on to say that, essentially, it could have done that any time in the last three years if it wanted to. So what's the purpose of these bold announcements? '[John McCreesh, OpenOffice.org marketing project lead] added that while Microsoft may not have plans to sue, it could be using the threat of litigation to try to encourage corporate customers to move to those open-source product vendors with whom it had signed licensing agreements, such as Novell. "Microsoft has spent time and money accumulating patents. Maybe it has started using that armory to move corporate customers to open-source software that Microsoft approves of."'"

Somebody call down below

[Anonymous Coward]

Because Hell just froze.

Open Letter to Brad Smith

[morgan_greywolf]

Dear Brad Smith,

Sue us! C'mon, Brad. That's right. Put it all out there! You tried and failed with your feeble little pawn, SCO. Then the big bad judge ordered them to show the code! Oh my, got called on your bluff, eh?

Now you're too afraid to sue because you think the same thing will happen to you. C'mon, Brad, go ahead? What are you -- chicken?

Because then you'll have to show us the code, and your bluff will called and it will be all over. That's why you're not going to sue, you spineless twit.

Thanks,

Rob Shinn
An Open Source developer.

Strategy

[Anonymous Coward]

In an official statement, Microsoft has said it has no immediate plans to sue after alleging patent infringements by open-source vendors for the time being. The company goes on to say that, essentially, it could have done that any time in the last three years if it wanted to.

Ah, I see you've chosen the 2nd grade playground method for conflict resolution. Well played.

I have this strange new feeling of amusement coupled with annoyance ... I can't quite describe it so I'll just come up with a new adjective:

Adjective

microsofty

1. Causing irritation or annoyance; troublesome; making amusing claims; vexatious towards everyone else.

Example: Richard Simmons sure is microsofty.

So MS wants to protect us by selling us insurance.

[Door in Cart]

"That sure is a nice operating system you've got there. Sure would be a shame if something bad happened to it."

Re:M$ doesn't *need* to sue...

[stigin]

You forgot:

5. Profit!

Re:Somebody call down below

[RLiegh]

>N+5 - MS buys Hell from the the Devil and unleashes Microsoft® Hell on Earth® Ultimate Edition.
  They jumped the gun then. They released windows ME several years ago.

Re:itsatrap!

[Lemmeoutada Collecti]

Bravely brave mr Balmer bravely ran away, away; bravely ran away. When OSS reared it's grinning head, he boldly turned his chair and fled.