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Date: Mon, 6 Aug 2012 21:48:30 +0200
From: Polytropon <freebsd@edvax.de>
To: David Brodbeck <gull@gull.us>
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Cc: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org
Subject: Re: Patent hit - MS goes after Linux - FreeBSD ?
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On Mon, 6 Aug 2012 19:08:19 +0000, David Brodbeck wrote:
> Now, it's reasonable to argue that in some fields the duration of that
> limited monopoly is too long, given how quickly technology advances,
> but that doesn't mean the concept isn't sound.

It's also debatable if one of today's most prominent use
of patents is fair: "I tell you! I have patents! You are
infringing! I'm not gonna tell you which patents about
what, but I'll sue all your users!" Of course, if such
a claim enters a court, it might be verified or discarded
(because it's just a claim, nothing applicable). In order
not to "risk" a lawsuit, it seems that spreading FUD is
often the more profitable way of using patents: "I told
you! I have patents! But if you pay me $$$, maybe I won't
sue you and your users. Maybe... but now PAY!!!"



-- 
Polytropon
Magdeburg, Germany
Happy FreeBSD user since 4.0
Andra moi ennepe, Mousa, ...