Microsoft and A Patent Checkmate of My Dreams – Updated

“The Open Invention Network (OIN) learned recently that
Microsoft was planning to auction off some of its software patents,
which we understand it marketed to trolls and some other
non-practicing entities. It also used marketing materials that
highlighted offensive uses of the patents against open source
software, including a number of the most popular open source
packages.

“This looked to us like a classic FUD effort. To unleash FUD,
you assemble a lot of patents of uncertain value, annotate them
with a roadmap for the companies and products to be targeted with
the patents, put the lot in the hands of trolls schooled in patent
aggression, and then stand back and wait for the FUD to spread with
its chilling effect.

“Fortunately, OIN (through the helpful assistance of Allied
Security Trust) managed to obtain this lot of 22 patents. And as
part of OIN’s portfolio, they will not be used to cause FUD
regarding open source software.”

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