our newest Ally ...Microsoft?

**burntfuse** · 11-07-2006

'm a rebel though, because the whole idea of 'intellectual property' has gone too far imo. It's a hangup of the so called 'information age' ... We can now reinvent the world around us so that concepts can be owned rather than physical objects ... or as well as physical objects. This is a great way for lawyers to generate extra income, but also a great way to stifle creative thought. If information doesn't help us to create greater freedoms then we're no better than our agrarian ancestors yoked to the plough. In short, I think we should all be appropriately cynical when confronted with these ideas. It's valuable for me - if I write a book - for you not to claim that you wrote it etc., but saying 'I patented that idea first, then you wrote it so I'm going to sue you' is beyond stupid.

Agreed. Completely.

**techieMoe** · 11-07-2006

Originally Posted by fingal

I'm a rebel though, because the whole idea of 'intellectual property' has gone too far imo. It's a hangup of the so called 'information age' ... We can now reinvent the world around us so that concepts can be owned rather than physical objects ... or as well as physical objects. This is a great way for lawyers to generate extra income, but also a great way to stifle creative thought. If information doesn't help us to create greater freedoms then we're no better than our agrarian ancestors yoked to the plough. In short, I think we should all be appropriately cynical when confronted with these ideas. It's valuable for me - if I write a book - for you not to claim that you wrote it etc., but saying 'I patented that idea first, then you wrote it so I'm going to sue you' is beyond stupid.

Agreed also. There are patents and there are copyrights. The two do not (and should not) apply to the same kinds of things.

**carlosponti** · 11-07-2006

What really angers me is when there are companies that own patents on software that doesn't exist and the companies in question do not make products. I just read that NTP is going after Palm now after winning against RIM for blackberry. How is it that a company can seek damages in the millions for non-existent products and for non-existent damages. I get so angry about it that it makes me want to scream! Its legalized extortion!

**carlosponti** · 11-07-2006

It seems we are not the only ones that feel this way about the Microsoft Deal http://www.cbronline.com/article_new...3-3B6AF63677DF

**burntfuse** · 11-07-2006

What really angers me is when there are companies that own patents on software that doesn't exist and the companies in question do not make products.

They're in the business of filing lawsuits.

Like one of the Humorix year-in-previews about SCO...

**cousinlucky** · 11-08-2006

Microsoft is going to shell out 348 million dollars to Novell. What, pray tell, is Novell obligated to do in return for that huge amount of money??

**smolloy** · 11-08-2006

Originally Posted by cousinlucky

Microsoft is going to shell out 348 million dollars to Novell. What, pray tell, is Novell obligated to do in return for that huge amount of money??

Bend over?

**carlosponti** · 11-08-2006

ha ha LMAO

**techieMoe** · 11-08-2006

I'm curious if openSuSE will get forked, in light of this deal.

**deanlinkous** · 11-08-2006

Originally Posted by cousinlucky

Microsoft is going to shell out 348 million dollars to Novell. What, pray tell, is Novell obligated to do in return for that huge amount of money??

Assist in hurting other commercial linux(s) as much as it can and then in five years or less sell out to MS for another huge some of money.

I have wondered about a fork.

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