| Microsoft's patent threats evoke retorts |
May 16, 2007
Partly in response to Microsoft's recent patent threats to Linux and other open-source software, the FSF (Free Software Foundation) announced on May 16 the creation of a new activist campaigns team to organize public support into action on software freedom issues.
In announcing the decision to create the campaigns team, FSF Executive Director Peter Brown spoke of Microsoft's recent attempts to use software patents as the basis of an attack against free software.
"Microsoft continues to threaten the freedom of all computer users with vague claims of software-patent infringement," Brown said. "Although more people than ever before in the U.S. have the technical capabilities to develop software, the blight of patents prevents them from making useful advancements. As such, we need to ask, 'What is the best way to eliminate the specter of software patents so that free software development can flourish, and how do we get organized to make it happen?'"
The FSF is far from the only free software supporter that's speaking out against Microsoft's recent patent comments.
Jerry Rosenthal, CEO of the Open Invention Network, an intellectual property company that was formed to promote Linux by using patents to create a collaborative environment, said, "This is not the first time that unsubstantiated claims of patent infringement have been leveled at Linux. Moreover, just as in the past, these claims are made without disclosing any evidence. It's time to stop the accusations and show the evidence. What's happening with these accusers is the equivalent of declaring four aces while being unwilling to show even a pair of deuces."
Linus Torvalds, Linux's founder, told Joe Barr of Linux.com, that until Microsoft is willing to show some of their cards, its claims are meaningless FUD.
"Can you get a list of which ones? Before that, it's just FUD, and there's not a whole lot I can say or do. Is there prior art? Are they trivial and obvious to one skilled in the art? Would we need to work around them? We don't know, because all I've heard so far is just FUD," Torvalds reportedly said.
"If MS actually wanted us to not infringe their patents, they'd tell us. Since they don't, that must mean that they actually prefer the FUD," Torvalds concluded, according to the Linux.com article.
Why is Microsoft making these claims? Rosenthal thinks it's because,"These accusations are actually an admission of the rapid uptake of Linux in the marketplace, Linux' success in displacing legacy products of competitors and that Linux provides superior software in performance, security and stability."
The FSF will be fighting Microsoft's patent claims, and what the organization sees as other threats to software freedom, such as DRM (digital rights management), with its new activist team.
The team will be composed of two campaigns managers and an international group of volunteers, with one position to be filled by current FSF staffer John Sullivan and the other by new appointee Joshua Gay. They will work together on the existing FSF campaigns BadVista.org and DefectiveByDesign.org and launch additional campaigns in the near future.
Sullivan added, "In the early years of the free software movement, the FSF worked to solve the problem of proprietary software by funding free software development. With the creation of this campaigns team, we are expanding our work to help clear the way politically and publicly for free software."
-- Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols
Do you have comments on this story?
Talkback here
NOTE: Please post your comments regarding our articles using the above link. Be sure to use this article's title as the "Subject" in your posts. Before you create a new thread, please check to see if a discussion thread is already running on the article you plan to comment on. Thanks!
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.
Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.
Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.
Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.
Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.
Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.
Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business’ operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.
Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.
|
|
|
|
|
news feed