.Net may yet close the Open Source movement

Commentary from IT-Analysis.com (on The Register): “Project Mono
was initiated to develop an open source version of Microsoft’s .Net development
platform. This would allow open source developers to quickly and easily deliver .Net
compatible software on Linux platforms …

Everything seemed fine but now some open source developers have become
concerned that Microsoft may still be able to demand licence fees, which of course
goes against the principle of open source. Furthermore it appears there could be
hidden patents owned by Microsoft within the .Net technologies. As patent owners
Microsoft can not only demand royalty payments but also refuse to issue a licence
altogether and simply demand that use of the application using the patented
software be stopped immediately.”