Posted by: Anonymous Coward
on July 21, 2004 08:51 PM
So this is like 1776 and rebellion against the Crown?
Microsoft's behavior to date makes multiple attacks by Microsoft against the GPL inevitable, by patents and other means, inevitable, but note the following.
1. Convictions on monopoly charges on two continents may have delayed Microsoft perhaps a little.
2. Resistance to patent<nobr> <wbr></nobr>;egislation in Europe seems also to have delayed the Microsoft offensive against open source, or limited them to using proxies such as TSCOG.
3. My belief is that the US presidential elections also delayed Microsoft, because they want to avoid issues which would discredit Dubya. Note the gentle handslap sentence handed to Microsoft.
Since this patent war is no longer just a theory, what open source needs right away is a firm defensive strategy. Like SCO2's attack on Linux, most of that strategy will evolve as it happens. As is still being demonstrated, collaboration works, even against legal attacks. Open source advocates are not to be taken likely.
If you have need for GPL/Linux and software licensed similarly, consider this to start. Donations of time and (if it exists where you are) money should be consentrated where it will be most effective.
I have donated (back when the Microsoft FAT patent challenge was announced) to PUBPAT. because the PUBPAT organization seems to be a good leverage point. Please consider checking them out and linking to PUBPAT from your web sites, if you agree.
As in Groklaw (and maybe AT Groklaw), collaborative planning will happen, and it will be effective. Who wants to be coordinator for the "Overturn- Patents- HOWTO"?
PS: Linus and team, I am a passive and pragmatic person, but I am no longer inclined to stay neutral on Miscrosoft. Do not waver, F/OSS developers, many, many individuals and large corporations are and will support you in every way we legally can.
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Re:MAD provision in GPL
Posted by: Anonymous Coward on July 21, 2004 08:51 PMMicrosoft's behavior to date makes multiple attacks by Microsoft against the GPL inevitable, by patents and other means, inevitable, but note the following.
1. Convictions on monopoly charges on two continents may have delayed Microsoft perhaps a little.
2. Resistance to patent<nobr> <wbr></nobr>;egislation in Europe seems also to have delayed the Microsoft offensive against open source, or limited them to using proxies such as TSCOG.
3. My belief is that the US presidential elections also delayed Microsoft, because they want to avoid issues which would discredit Dubya. Note the gentle handslap sentence handed to Microsoft.
Since this patent war is no longer just a theory, what open source needs right away is a firm defensive strategy. Like SCO2's attack on Linux, most of that strategy will evolve as it happens. As is still being demonstrated, collaboration works, even against legal attacks. Open source advocates are not to be taken likely.
If you have need for GPL/Linux and software licensed similarly, consider this to start. Donations of time and (if it exists where you are) money should be consentrated where it will be most effective.
I have donated (back when the Microsoft FAT patent challenge was announced) to PUBPAT. because the PUBPAT organization seems to be a good leverage point. Please consider checking them out and linking to PUBPAT from your web sites, if you agree.
As in Groklaw (and maybe AT Groklaw), collaborative planning will happen, and it will be effective. Who wants to be coordinator for the "Overturn- Patents- HOWTO"?
PS: Linus and team, I am a passive and pragmatic person, but I am no longer inclined to stay neutral on Miscrosoft. Do not waver, F/OSS developers, many, many individuals and large corporations are and will support you in every way we legally can.
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