Greetings. Microsoft, claiming that they're taking the intellectual high road, now asserts that Linux and its various Open Source components violate 235 Microsoft patents, and is already talking about compensation -- big time, we can assume in the end.

Some details are in this article from Fortune.

Here's a fun project for some grad students or other interested parties with time on their hands. How about combing through the masses of Microsoft OS and applications software and seeing how many patents they potentially infringe? And how many of Microsoft's patents in any contexts might be invalidated by prior art?

If Microsoft really wants to play Intellectual Property Roulette, let's give them their money's worth at the table.

Aside: Aren't there really better ways for the smart boys and girls at MS to be spending their time rather than with more patent foolishness?

And assuming that Microsoft could find a way to wangle bucks out of the big Linux users, let's together name one of the biggest Linux users on the planet (if not the biggest) that MS would presumably be just tickled pink to sock with either a massive bill and/or continuing royalty demands. Can we all spell G-O-O-G-L-E? I knew you could. Google is quite possibly MS' real target in this regard as well.

Microsoft's obvious desperation in going this route almost inspires pity.

Almost.

--Lauren--