4 ms·

Before you start bashing, consider that Microsoft might actually hold at least 1 legitimate patent that is being clearly infringed on. The "cocky", "full of vi

Before you start bashing, consider that Microsoft might actually hold at least 1 legitimate patent that is being clearly infringed on. The "cocky", "full of vim and vinegar", "victory-lap", "bellicose", "braggado and preening", "celebrating" legal team blog post that this author is refering to: http://blogs.technet.com/b/microsoft_on_the_issues/archive/2011/10/23/microsoft-s-new-patent-agreement-with-compal-a-new-milestone-for-our-android-licensing-program.aspx http://blogs.technet.com/b/microsoft_on_the_issues/archive/2... ...seems to be everything but that, and very professional.

RexRollman 15y ago
Considering how little vetting happens at the Patent Office, I wouldn't be surprised. But the real problem, in my opinion, is that Google is not doing anything about Microsoft's efforts.
- recoiledsnake 15y ago
  They gave HTC some patents that HTC used to launch a countersuit against Apple. I think they were recently struck down though.
  - nextparadigms 15y ago
    Only one of them. They have 1-2 more they plan on using.
ZeroGravitas 15y ago
Well guess a number on how much they've been paid. Think of one patent that the collective brainpower of Google and everyone who has been threatened with a lawsuit couldn't work around for less than that figure. If such a patent exists then it's a failure of the patent system and Microsoft is exploiting that failure. If not, then the fact they can do it with a bunch of dubious patents is a failure of the patent system and Microsoft is exploiting that failure. All this is based on the assumption that they have actually extracted money from these companies, rather than say take token amounts from them which are then returned to them as co-advertising funds for Windows devices so that they can proclaim doom'n'gloom for their competitors. I mean the patents and the payments are both secret aren't they? Yet every press release is very clear on the point that payments are being recieved by Microsoft (and are silent on what, if anything, is going the other way).
azakai 15y ago
> Before you start bashing, consider that Microsoft might actually hold at least 1 legitimate patent that is being clearly infringed on. Isn't a big part of the problem that they "might" have such a patent, but we can't know? In other words, if you enter a market Microsoft cares about, you may find Microsoft lawyers at your door with demands. But you can't tell before you make a huge investment and enter that market. You can write all your own code from scratch, make a terrific product, and you still don't know if Microsoft can sue you or not. How does this benefit innovation?
- arebop 15y ago
  My understanding is that you have a non-trivial software project, you can count on infringing many patents; it's best to assume that Microsoft (among many other wealthy companies with large patent portfolios) can indeed sue you and win. Your best bet is to be one of these big patent holders with lots of money, and then you can be protected by mutually assured destruction.
- deleted 15y ago
  [deleted]

RexRollman 15y ago

Considering how little vetting happens at the Patent Office, I wouldn't be surprised. But the real problem, in my opinion, is that Google is not doing anything about Microsoft's efforts.

recoiledsnake 15y ago
They gave HTC some patents that HTC used to launch a countersuit against Apple. I think they were recently struck down though.
- nextparadigms 15y ago
  Only one of them. They have 1-2 more they plan on using.

ZeroGravitas 15y ago

Well guess a number on how much they've been paid. Think of one patent that the collective brainpower of Google and everyone who has been threatened with a lawsuit couldn't work around for less than that figure. If such a patent exists then it's a failure of the patent system and Microsoft is exploiting that failure. If not, then the fact they can do it with a bunch of dubious patents is a failure of the patent system and Microsoft is exploiting that failure. All this is based on the assumption that they have actually extracted money from these companies, rather than say take token amounts from them which are then returned to them as co-advertising funds for Windows devices so that they can proclaim doom'n'gloom for their competitors. I mean the patents and the payments are both secret aren't they? Yet every press release is very clear on the point that payments are being recieved by Microsoft (and are silent on what, if anything, is going the other way).

azakai 15y ago

> Before you start bashing, consider that Microsoft might actually hold at least 1 legitimate patent that is being clearly infringed on. Isn't a big part of the problem that they "might" have such a patent, but we can't know? In other words, if you enter a market Microsoft cares about, you may find Microsoft lawyers at your door with demands. But you can't tell before you make a huge investment and enter that market. You can write all your own code from scratch, make a terrific product, and you still don't know if Microsoft can sue you or not. How does this benefit innovation?

arebop 15y ago
My understanding is that you have a non-trivial software project, you can count on infringing many patents; it's best to assume that Microsoft (among many other wealthy companies with large patent portfolios) can indeed sue you and win. Your best bet is to be one of these big patent holders with lots of money, and then you can be protected by mutually assured destruction.
deleted 15y ago
[deleted]