Sun exec accuses Microsoft of 'patent terrorism'


      The efforts of Microsoft to pressure the Linux community over alleged and unspecified patents is akin to "patent terrorism", according to an executive for Sun.Sun, which had some patent troubles of its own with Microsoft until they were resolved in mid-2004, says that Microsoft's recent tactics are "going against the spirit of innovation around software".In recent times, Microsoft has struck legal agreements with Linux distributors Novell, Xandros and Linspire, pledging not to sue users of these distributions over alleged patent violations ? none of which have yet been tested in a court of law. In return, the Linux distributions have agreed to varying conditions around the distribution and use of their software ? many of which fly in the face of their open-source heritage."What we're seeing though now can be loosely described as patent terrorism, where people are using their patent horde as a threat," said James Eagleton, systems product manager for Sun. "It's almost like a cold war stand-over tactic; where I have these patents and if you breach these patents, I'm going to come after you and sue you."Continue At Source


Continue to this article at Bink.nu

http://bink.nu/Article10582.bink