Great Intentions While Begging For Problems

And from the shots across the bow by Microsoft, we now see Linux advocates digging in for a long fight over software patents. Personally, while understanding the idea here of protecting users from software patent abuses, going after Microsoft is asking for a blood bath. If their legal history has taught us anything, it is being right has nothing to do with it. The winner will simply have deeper pockets while wearing out the little guy.

Can anyone really do what the Open Invention Network is hoping to do…successfully? Sure, I am positive that they will successfully find all of the proof in the world. Sadly, should this go to court here in the States, the Open Invention Network will find itself in such a legal mess of technicalities and other sidestepping hassles that they will have wished that they had avoided this mess from the beginning.

Again, I promise you - Microsoft will win purely through connections and FUD. They’ve been doing it for years, so while being right is really nice and all, I am not really all that stoked about stiring the pot right now.