Microsoft profits from Linux again, easier than improving Windows Vista
Ever since Microsoft announced that Linux may violate up to 228 patents, it has enjoyed sweet deals from companies looking to avoid lawsuits.
JVC is the most recent to seek such a deal. Microsoft just announced an expansion of “the relationship between JVC and Microsoft to promote the exchange of valuable information and the incorporation of patented technologies in their respective products.,” according to a company press release.
Typically, healthy businesses focus on providing value for customers through innovation and new products. But, Microsoft has discovered an easier way: attack companies not using Windows XP or Vista with a stuffed patent portfolio.
Ironically, that may be a better way to make money than trying to improve and remarket Windows Vista.
Microsoft refuses to identify which patents Linux may violate, and that provides a blanket threat for any company using the open source OS, including JVC. At this point it’s speculation that this deal addresses Linux specifically, but an elephant in the room is hard to ignore.
Also, Microsoft mentions “the agreement covers a broad range of consumer products each company manufactures and sells. Although the contents of the agreement, including the specific financial terms, are confidential, the parties indicated that Microsoft is being compensated by JVC.”
No innovation here, but plenty of cash.
Of course, from Microsoft’s perspective “the licensing agreement is another example of the important role intellectual property (IP) plays in ensuring a healthy and vibrant IT ecosystem. Since Microsoft launched its IP licensing program in December 2003, the company has entered into more than 200 licensing agreements and continues to develop programs that make it possible for customers, partners and competitors to access its IP portfolio.”
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January 18th, 2008
i fucking hate microsoft…..what the fuck did linux do to you….and o btw look at vista, its 100% mac with a different look…….i love linux….and i hope windows dies
January 19th, 2008
i second that!
January 20th, 2008
Goes to show that MS is scared shitless about what GNU/Linux is really capable of. Bill Gates… How in the world can you stoop so incredibly low!?
I have lost all interest in Windows as of 2006! Go Mr. Tux, GO!!!
January 21st, 2008
Oh, I love Vista, or ‘Vasta’ as it is coming to be known. It has guaranteed that millions of hacked-off PC users will move to Linux and Macs!
January 21st, 2008
ROFLMAO GFG WINDOWS!!! Linux sucks and it always will, u cant play games on it, and it sucks. Linux will NEVER kill windows, if anything microsoft is just going to ahnillate linux like the trash it is. Linux does violate more than its share of MS pattents also, and I hope linux dies, and hopefully MS will put Linus Torvalds in jail where his communist, IP violating ass belongs. ALL HEIL BILL GATES AS GOD!!
January 23rd, 2008
Windows fanboys are so pathetic lol
May 8th, 2009
Funny how all windows fans see Linux in the same way while not really knowing anything about it. Linux plays plenty of graphics intensive games just fine through Cedega. F.E.A.R. 2 for instance. The only reason games aren’t made for Linux is because Microsoft Windows is used in the majority of homes, so it isn’t a wise business decision to make a port for Linux considering the currently small share in home PC’s that Linux has.
Linux does not violate MS patents. MS holds patents to shit they shouldn’t hold the rights to AND MS stole/steals more from Linux and the OSS community than their fake patents claim Linux steals from them. Please take note of this line from the article: “Microsoft refuses to identify which patents Linux may violate…” Why do you think that is? If you can muster together two braincells and get them to consider the reasons for such a standpoint, you might have your eyes opened.
Let’s consider one point really quick. The security of Windows is horrible due to the fact it was originally designed to be a single user OS… so when the need arose to have more than one user implemented in the OS, instead of rewriting the OS, they decided to try and jerry-rig parts of it to get it to work as a multi-user OS. Linux has been multi-user from the beginning, but you don’t see the OSS community trying to sue Microsoft for the rights to use the multi-user style platform.
Also Linux is not a communistic OS. Just because people would prefer to have a stable and smoothly operating OS and it happens to be free and open to change, doesn’t classify it as communistic. Linux has never mass murdered anyone, despite any propaganda Microsoft may be trying to sell you brainless, Windows fanboy zombies.
If anything, Microsoft comes MUCH closer to communism in their attempt at a tyrannical rule over the software community.
Think about it… take two seconds and try and get the attention of those two braincells I mentioned earlier, probably your only two, and think. Microsoft, a dictatorial leader in the software community is attempting to stop ALL companies from using any Linux or other OSS OS, under threat of lawsuit for patent violations it is unwilling to discuss.
Someone get this Windows fanboy a picture of Hitler doing the Deutscher Gruß to put under his statement: “ALL HEIL BILL GATES AS GOD!!”
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1363/1348238751_e7966e6cdd.jpg?v=0