Tom Tom Settle

[Mehall]

In a move worse that's still better than what Novell did, Tom Tom have settled both suits against MS.

Tom Tom will pay MS for the use of their patents, and MS get access to Tom Tom patents, without MS paying Tom Tom for it.

http://www.computerworlduk.com/toolb...2044&blogid=14

[loell]

oh.. .. why do they even bothered joining OIN if they'll just gonna settle. i guess the lesser the liability the better for them.

[smartboyathome]

Wow, that is basically like saying "Hey, Microsoft, if we pay you, would you mind getting free access to our patents?" I don't even get the business aspect of that move.

[LowSky]

This is why patent law is so out-dated. This is why the move to opensource is so important. so small companies don't get sued by larger companies who steal technology.

[Sealbhach]

Bad news. Time to stop using FAT.


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[Mehall]

Bad news. Time to stop using FAT.


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They can't really argue that one though. If it ended up in court, they don't have a leg to stand on, because every flash drive uses FAT32 because MS made it open standard.

Tom Tom only settled because they can't afford to go to court for the length of time it would require against MS.

Let's see MS sue Canonical about something.
"Shuttlesworth steps in. Shuttlesworth donates money and lawyers and money.

Shuttlesworth fixes Ubuntu Bug #1."

[Mr. Picklesworth]

A standard, modern file format for removable storage WOULD be nice. FAT is really showing its age now, especially with the steady rise in single files bigger than it can handle.
It would be great to see an initiative behind something better.

[bakedbeans4life]

I used to say that I disliked Microsoft, now I hate them and all that they stand for. This is nothing more than legalized extortion.

Tom-Tom did themselves a disservice here, they should have stood their ground. Now this will become open-season on anybody that uses Open Source software.

And to those that say this was never about Linux, that is exactly what it was about. If Tom-Tom used Microsoft's platform then none of this would have happened.

This will be just the start. Where are the Microsoft apologists now to justify all of this?

[LowSky]

Shuttleworth doenst have that much cash.
He spent a good portion of it on going to space....lol

But in seriousness Canonical v. Microsoft = Microsoft Win
Reason Microsoft/Novell deal gives Microsft too much info on the working of Linux, and because of Microsofts private corporate secret that is Windows code, Canonical has little to go against.

[Mr. Picklesworth]

Although I don't think Microsoft would go at Canonical, Red Hat or any other widely loved Linux companies. The reaction from the community in those cases (since Canonical and Red Hat nourish awesome communities) may not bother their lawyers, but it would cripple their marketing.