Re: Microsoft going after Linux?

[amicus_curious]

"ray" <ray@zianet.com> wrote in message 
70m70cF8opnpU8@mid.individual.net">news:70m70cF8opnpU8@mid.individual.net...
> On Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:03:27 -0500, Rjack wrote:
>
> > "Microsoft has filed a suit against TomTom, 'alleging that the in-car
> > navigation company's devices violate eight of its patents — including
> > three that relate to TomTom's implementation of the Linux kernel."
> >
> > http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/02/25/232212
> >
> > Sincerely,
> > Rjack :)
>
> MS has three patents relating to implementation of the Linux kernel?
> Rather odd.

They weren't obtained for Linux, I would think.  Rather Linux implemented 
something that had been patented as an enhancement to DOS for Windows95.  No 
one checks these things and consequently big companies cross license each 
other to cut down on the litigation or threats.  It is expensive to apply 
for patents and little companies don't do so much of it, so they are caught 
up short and have to license those things that they, probably inadvertently, 
infringe on.  Tom-Tom is in that kind of fix.  Linux is just caught in a 
cross-fire or collateral damage.