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  • From: Bob Hetzel <beh AT case.edu>
  • To: FreeTDS Development Group <freetds AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [freetds] TDS versions
  • Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 16:09:36 -0400

1) Part of that shareholder value they're protection is derived from patenting stuff before some other nit wit patents it and then sues. I believe this has happened in at least one case in the last few years where somebody got a rather vague patent for something already commonly used and managed to win a lawsuit over it. Even if MS won said lawsuit it will cost more than several lame patents would have cost. If they lose, it can easily cost an amount equivalent to hundreds of them.

2) For corporate and individual ego/bragging in advertising/etc. Big companies routinely patent stuff to say that they're the great innovators as well as for employees to pad their resume. Staff sometimes even get cash rewards for coming up with stuff that winds up being patented in their employer's name.

However, given past Microsoft practices, I share other's concern. In one of their defenses about antitrust issues of bundling their browser and OS together, they were found to have even doctored a presentation video they used in court to try to prove their point, but that was a while back (perhaps 10 years or so).

Bob

John Saylor wrote:
hey

if past practices are anything to go by, microsoft is only insterested
in adding shareholder value.

period.
i don't know what the plan is here. i share your viewpoint [wtf?], but
i'm sure there are some people in redmond who have some kinda ROI memo
on this action.

-----Original Message-----
From: freetds-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:freetds-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of James K. Lowden

Why go to all the work and bluster to get a patent just
to preclude the possibility of a commercial competitor copying your
25-year old technology? Isn't there anything more important to do?

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