[Tfug] Microsoft reportedly wants open source software users to pay rolyalties

[Shawn LaMaster]

Microsoft reportedly wants open source software users to pay 
royalties on 235 alleged patent violations.  

In an interview with Fortune magazine, Brad Smith, Microsoft's 
general counsel, and Horacio Gutierrez, the company's vice president 
of intellectual property and licensing, said open source software, 
including Linux, violates 235 Microsoft patents. And Microsoft wants 
distributors and users of open source software to start paying 
royalties for these alleged violations.  

"This is not a case of some accidental, unknowing infringement. 
...There is an overwhelming number of patents being infringed," 
Gutierrez said.  

http://www.networkworld.com:80/news/2007/051407-microsoft-demands-
royalties-for-open-source.html?nlhtspec=051407specialalert1&


Being Irish, he had an abiding sense of tragedy
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