Microsoft FUD

[Nythain]

I'm sure this has probably already been asked, but i was just wondering if canonical/ubuntu have released a statement on how they plan to handle the microsoft allegations of patent infringement against linux.

As THE fastest growing desktop distro im sure its only a matter of time before microsoft directs thier attention from Red Hat over to Ubuntu, and and im hoping that canonical/ubuntu will fight and not just sign thier life away to microsoft via some lame patent pact.

On another note... does anyone have any speculation how BSD will fare in all this... from what i gather its not really linux, is that correct... if so would that make it null and void of any FUD bully attempts by microsoft

[blueturtl]

Until Microsoft actually makes some solid statements instead of throwing poo at their enemies I think there's not really a need for Canonical/Ubuntu to do anything about it.

Even if some code was found to be similar (which can happen, since Windows and Office contain millions and millions of lines of code) there isn't really a good defense for it. As long as Microsoft keeps it's code behind closed doors we can't avoid accidentally "stealing" it.

[matthinckley]

I don't know if Microsoft could do anything against Canonical since they are not a US based company.. since Microsoft doesn't seem to have a leg to stand on I would be suprised if they shift their FUD focus anywhere..

[use a name]

Slightly off-topic: matthinckley, your avatar together with your sig... --> :D

[matthinckley]

Slightly off-topic: matthinckley, your avatar together with your sig... --> :D
Thanks!

[brian j]

http://www.aaxnet.com/topics/msinc.html

Interesting reading

[jgrabham]

We set up in antarctica thus meaning no-one can sue us!

[stmiller]

MS hasn't showed the so called 'code' in question. It's all BS.

[starcraft.man]

We set up in antarctica thus meaning no-one can sue us!

Seconded!

Or better yet, get Shuttleworth to buy out Sealand (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principality_of_Sealand) :D.

[bruce89]

Just ignore them, they'll go away.

Canonical is based on the Isle of Man, so software patents don't apply. (for the geographically challenged, the IoM is between Ireland and Great Britain (http://www.informationfreeway.org/index.php?lat=54.22500540675832&lon=-4.575804672971381&user=bruce89&zoom=9&layers=0000F0B))