Bill Gates and IV chief have very deep relationship. There have been reports of Gates attending brainstorming sessions at IV office to generate patentable ideas

Bill Gates and IV chief have very deep relationship. There have been reports of Gates attending brainstorming sessions at IV office to generate patentable ideas. I honestly think IV has managed to sold Gates on the some beautiful vision. Or perhaps its just creating FUD that if you don't join in our patent cartel, others will get you. There are also reports that many IV employees have deeper access at Microsoft. For example, IV employees are regularly invited to otherwise employee-only event that Microsoft Research organizes every year. This is unprecedented level of access considering none public information there. Besides Microsoft is currently on defence and it can use all ammo that IV offers for small "membership" fee of their patent cartel.