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

[Rich]

On May 16, 2007, at 10:29 pm, christopher floess wrote:

> wasn't DOS
> kind of modeled after Unix?

CP/M actually. Which shares some of *its* heritage with Unix.

> So MS takes the time to go to the patent office with stuff that was  
> developed by people who don't bother to take the time to patent  
> their stuff, and all of a sudden they are ones who one these ideas?

In the eyes of the law, yes. But for "ideas" substitute "descriptions  
of implementations of ideas" -- you can't patent an idea. However  
close people actually get to that, you still can't patent "An idea  
for a user interface that changes according to what mode a program is  
in." But you *can* patent "A method of altering user interface  
controls depending on current workflow conditions." Or whatever.

But then, the patent model was there for *all* to use. You don't have  
to be a big company to patent inventions like this. Just because MS  
puts more effort into patenting its dung than other hobbyists, it's  
ended up on top. So are we talking sour grapes here? (And just in  
case you think I think so, my answer's no.)

R.