Trouble for Open Source?

[Carl Martin]

Looks like trouble lies ahead for open source applications. I wonder if this could spell the ind for freeware?

Update: Microsoft demands royalties for open-source software

[gvblake22]

OMG, this is so lame. They just seem to have nothing better to do now except go after the little guys. Who knows how accurate this report is, I feel like if Linux apps were in violation this much that Microsoft would have done something about it a little sooner. But either way it is a pretty disturbing thought to think that Microsoft has the potential for this much influential power over the entire market.

[Jokerswild]

I don't see why MS even bothers with it since all it does is cause bad publicity for them and they already have a virtual monopoly on the OS market. Now if their trying to oust the other free software like open office then I can see where their headed.

[Dread]

Read a different article on this today. Supposedley they are compiling a list of violations to use as a publicity stunt. "Look everyone, look at all these bad people stealing our ideas!" "But we're the good guys and won't prosecute them..."

[Hitman]

I find it Ironic that M$ is accusing someone of stealing their Ideas, since thats how M$ got started in the first place. By stealing other peoples Ideas.

[screwballl]

yes but who do you sue? Millions of linux users? I foresee a very large class action lawsuit for false charges when the information it is based on has been openly available to the community for years. As soon as MS shuts down these 283, Linux users will create 500 more that are just different enough to not infringe but enough to give it the same functionality.