Torvalds: Microsoft is bluffing on patents

[Dapper Dan]

Read the article here.

[cousinlucky]

The one thing that microsoft is sure to avoid ever having to do is to show their " secret code " in open court to claim someone has copied it.

[carlosponti]

Linus is finally saying what most already know. Most are unwilling to actually do anything about it because of the level of vagueness that patents can be now and still win in court to be enforced. there is a patent company sueing over its '531' patent which states something about downloading jpg from a web page. software patents are insane.

[ryokimball]

My favorite is Sony's patent on soundwaves being used to "beam info to the brain."


...which is funny to me because they don't even have the technology to do this, so if I actually developed the technology, they would have the rights to use it, if not flat take it from me (not that I will be the one...).

[genesus]

Well, you won't be with that attitude

[ryokimball]

Well, you won't be with that attitude

lol

I am a bit wary of any direct manipulation of the brain, but I was only referring to the fact that I was using myself as the example, thus making "me" a variable to which anyone could fill the place.

[cousinlucky]

In the movie " the Matrix " Neo's brain is filled with information that is downloaded from computer software programs. I would just love it if I could buy a software disk containing the most updated information about computer technology. I would love being able to bring the disk home, put it into my computer, and then place a helmet over my head that is connected to my computer.

This helmet would then download all of the computer software on the disk into my brain and I would be able to build my own computer as well as have intelligent conversations with the members here at LinuxForums.

Although such technology would be ripe for abuse and sinister manipulation I am of the opinion that someone someday will invent this " helmet "!!

[ryokimball]

(this sounds more like it belongs on the "subliminal" thread...)
That's why I think people should, if anything is developed, be stictly one-way, however difficult that might might be to reinforce. I would not have trouble with, say, a miniature MRA at the base of my neck to read the brain stem's actions, but even here I would have to seriously research MRAs to make sure the magnetic resonance won't twist or otherwise manipulate my cerebral activities....

[Roxoff]

Bluffing == Lying.

Linus here actually said that the patent claims were 'marketing speak' designed to induce fear, uncertainty and doubt. It's not unlike him, though, to stick his neck out and out-right accuse Microsoft of blatant lies. They'd have to sue him for defamation then... And then the court would have the opportunity to see exactly which patents MS thought were the problem, they'd have to show they really are not lying...