Microsoft's IP chief on TomTom, Linux and patents ..

[Doug Mentohl]

Q: Is the technology being used by TomTom something it developed on its
own, or is it outside or open-source technology that they're using?

Gutierrez: Well, it's hard for me to tell where the technology comes
from .. the case involves infringement of Microsoft patents by TomTom
devices that employ both proprietary and open-source software code ..

.. three of the eight patents in this dispute read on the Linux kernel
as implemented by TomTom. The other five relate to car navigation
proprietary software used by TomTom ..

What I mean is the patents cover the implementation of the Linux kernel
done by TomTom in their products ..

Each case is different, and this one is specifically about the use of
software by TomTom in its devices ...

http://www.techflash.com/microsoft/40354407.html

[Doug Mentohl]

See also ..

"Microsoft at a Crossroads: Future Trend-Setter or Future Pariah?"

http://www.acrossad.com/articles/msftfuture.html

[7]

Post by Doug Mentohl
Q: Is the technology being used by TomTom something it developed on its
own, or is it outside or open-source technology that they're using?
Gutierrez: Well, it's hard for me to tell where the technology comes
from .. the case involves infringement of Microsoft patents by TomTom
devices that employ both proprietary and open-source software code ..
.. three of the eight patents in this dispute read on the Linux kernel
as implemented by TomTom. The other five relate to car navigation
proprietary software used by TomTom ..
What I mean is the patents cover the implementation of the Linux kernel
done by TomTom in their products ..
Each case is different, and this one is specifically about the use of
software by TomTom in its devices ...
http://www.techflash.com/microsoft/40354407.html

The most vigorous way Tom Tom can defend itself is to eliminate support
for micoshaft products and ask the Open Source community to help it write
EXT2 drivers for all its products. And then freely distribute the sources
to help all the China, Korea and Taiwan manufacturers to eliminate
support for micoshaft products.

Micoshaft has turned to attacking its customers and supporters.
It won't stop here.
Now that google has risen to 75% value of Micoshaft Corporation,
and Micoshaft is sinking FAST, Micoshaft is under real threat of destruction
at the hands of competitors. So it lashes out at its customers
and supporters. Just drop support for micoshaft products from all your
range and start switching to Linux.

The stock market is asking Micoshaft to cut its workforce from 90,000
to 50,000 - meaning it should ditch its OS side of the business
and let it go open source.

There is no way to spin it out - because the OS division doesn't
generate enough money to feed all the developers in the crowded
OS market dominated Linux which has the majority share of server markets
and embedded markets.

http://www.livecdlist.com
http://www.distrowatch.com

[Andrew Halliwell]

Post by 7
The most vigorous way Tom Tom can defend itself is to eliminate support
for micoshaft products and ask the Open Source community to help it write
EXT2 drivers for all its products. And then freely distribute the sources
to help all the China, Korea and Taiwan manufacturers to eliminate
support for micoshaft products.

Windows already HAS ext2 drivers written for it.

[7]

Post by Andrew Halliwell

Post by 7
The most vigorous way Tom Tom can defend itself is to eliminate support
for micoshaft products and ask the Open Source community to help it write
EXT2 drivers for all its products. And then freely distribute the sources
to help all the China, Korea and Taiwan manufacturers to eliminate
support for micoshaft products.

Windows already HAS ext2 drivers written for it.

True - many varieties and free http://www.fs-driver.org/

If this gets adopted by mainstream vendors as a positive statement that
Micoshaft is unimportant in commodity markets, then there
would be no more issues. If Micoshaft sues customers again, then
they can look forward to long battles and losing more chunks of their
business as customers and manufactures withdraw support for
micoshaft products from the market place.

[amicus_curious]

Post by Doug Mentohl
Q: Is the technology being used by TomTom something it developed on its
own, or is it outside or open-source technology that they're using?
Gutierrez: Well, it's hard for me to tell where the technology comes from
.. the case involves infringement of Microsoft patents by TomTom devices
that employ both proprietary and open-source software code ..
.. three of the eight patents in this dispute read on the Linux kernel as
implemented by TomTom. The other five relate to car navigation proprietary
software used by TomTom ..
What I mean is the patents cover the implementation of the Linux kernel
done by TomTom in their products ..
Each case is different, and this one is specifically about the use of
software by TomTom in its devices ...
http://www.techflash.com/microsoft/40354407.html

Q: Is this the first in a series of steps that Microsoft plans to take to
start filing suit over those more than 200 alleged patent violations?

Gutierrez: No. I should say, Microsoft respects and appreciates the
important role that open-source software plays in our industry, and we
respect and appreciate the passion and the great contribution that
open-source developers make in our industry. That appreciation and respect
is not inconsistent with our respect for intellectual-property rights.
Partnership with all technology companies, including those that adopt a
mixed-source model, must be built on mutual respect for IP rights -- rights
that we all rely on for driving innovation and opportunity.

Now, this case is against TomTom, and it involves infringement of Microsoft
patents by TomTom devices. Each case is different, and this one is
specifically about the use of software by TomTom in its devices.

[7]

Post by amicus_curious

Post by Doug Mentohl
Q: Is the technology being used by TomTom something it developed on its
own, or is it outside or open-source technology that they're using?
Gutierrez: Well, it's hard for me to tell where the technology comes from
.. the case involves infringement of Microsoft patents by TomTom devices
that employ both proprietary and open-source software code ..
.. three of the eight patents in this dispute read on the Linux kernel as
implemented by TomTom. The other five relate to car navigation
proprietary software used by TomTom ..
What I mean is the patents cover the implementation of the Linux kernel
done by TomTom in their products ..
Each case is different, and this one is specifically about the use of
software by TomTom in its devices ...
http://www.techflash.com/microsoft/40354407.html

Q: Is this the first in a series of steps that Microsoft plans to take to
start filing suit over those more than 200 alleged patent violations?
Gutierrez: No. I should say, Microsoft respects and appreciates the
important role that open-source software plays in our industry, and we
respect and appreciate the passion and the great contribution that
open-source developers make in our industry. That appreciation and respect
is not inconsistent with our respect for intellectual-property rights.
Partnership with all technology companies, including those that adopt a
mixed-source model, must be built on mutual respect for IP rights --
rights that we all rely on for driving innovation and opportunity.
Now, this case is against TomTom, and it involves infringement of
Microsoft patents by TomTom devices. Each case is different, and this one
is specifically about the use of software by TomTom in its devices.

Micoshaft is full of propellor heads that lie lie and lie again
to milk money from its customers.

This is the first shot in their patent war.

The quicker micoshfat is put out of its misery, the quicker
the world can move on.

Micoshaft has turned to attacking its customers and supporters.
It won't stop here.
Now that google has risen to 75% value of Micoshaft Corporation,
and Micoshaft is sinking FAST, Micoshaft is under real threat of destruction
at the hands of competitors. So it lashes out at its customers
and supporters. Just drop support for micoshaft products from all your
range and start switching to Linux.

The stock market is asking Micoshaft to cut its workforce from 90,000
to 50,000 - meaning it should ditch its OS side of the business
and let it go open source.

There is no way to spin it out - because the OS division doesn't
generate enough money to feed all the developers in the crowded
OS market dominated Linux which has the majority share of server markets
and embedded markets.

http://www.livecdlist.com
http://www.distrowatch.com

[Doug Mentohl]

Post by 7
This is the first shot in their patent war.

Not really, more like SCO 11 ...

"Assertions are year-long, or two years long. Maybe Microsoft wanted to
buy TomTom, but they didn't want to sell. So they started asserting
patents, hoping to encourage them to at least only license Microsoft
operating systems. That didn't work, so they sued."

"It is not beneath a monopolist to put all these pieces together and
look to take advantage of a situation."

http://linuxdevices.com/news/NS4186728102.html

[amicus_curious]

Post by Doug Mentohl

Post by 7
This is the first shot in their patent war.

Not really, more like SCO 11 ...
"Assertions are year-long, or two years long. Maybe Microsoft wanted to
buy TomTom, but they didn't want to sell. So they started asserting
patents, hoping to encourage them to at least only license Microsoft
operating systems. That didn't work, so they sued."
"It is not beneath a monopolist to put all these pieces together and look
to take advantage of a situation."
http://linuxdevices.com/news/NS4186728102.html

Well that is a rather biased view of the matter, to be sure. If the
Microsoft patents read on the Tom-Tom product, they have the right to demand
a license. They have licensed Tom-Tom competitors, it seems, so the most
likely story is that they just want their well-deserved income.

[Doctor Smith]

Post by amicus_curious

Post by Doug Mentohl

Post by 7
This is the first shot in their patent war.

Not really, more like SCO 11 ...
"Assertions are year-long, or two years long. Maybe Microsoft wanted to
buy TomTom, but they didn't want to sell. So they started asserting
patents, hoping to encourage them to at least only license Microsoft
operating systems. That didn't work, so they sued."
"It is not beneath a monopolist to put all these pieces together and look
to take advantage of a situation."
http://linuxdevices.com/news/NS4186728102.html

Well that is a rather biased view of the matter, to be sure. If the
Microsoft patents read on the Tom-Tom product, they have the right to demand
a license. They have licensed Tom-Tom competitors, it seems, so the most
likely story is that they just want their well-deserved income.

I agree with that and if Microsoft has infringed upon the GPL then the
owner of the program also has a right to compensation.
I'm a believer in people being paid for their works.

It remains to be seen how this plays out legally though.
Anyone can file a lawsuit and just about for any reason,winning and
collecting are a totally different matter.