The Microsoft Open Source Patent Gambit

“First, to reiterate, as a customer I am completely uninterested
in buying something from a vendor, and then paying every other
vendor in the space a license to their possible additional but
unproved patents. I’m not even interested in licensing their PROVED
patents. Patents are vendor to vendor discussions. To make sure the
license wonks in Microsoft Legal and Corporate Affairs understand
what I mean: As a customer, when I buy my Xerox copier, I do not
intend to additionally license patents from HP, Canon, Epson, or
ANY other copier manufacturer. I buy solutions from my vendors, and
I expect value for money. I am uninterested in your protection
shakedown. Move on. The bullying of customers stops now.

“Second, why wait for Gutierrez (Microsoft Licensing Director)
to identify the patents…?”

Complete Story