Overcoming the minefield of Linux patents

The biggest problem with getting stuff for free is that you are likely to be irritating some company wanting to charge for the service. That is exactly the relationship between Linux and Microsoft. Despite being one of the most successful and profitable companies on the planet, it seems that Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer is losing sleep over all the cash that the evil free software community is diverting from his firm.

Table of Contents

• Introduction to Linux patents
• Problems
  • Microsoft - Does Linux infringe Windows?
  • Can you patent Linux software? For that matter can you patent code?
  • Untested - patents are mostly untested?
  • Other protection laws - i.e. intellectual property
  • Interconnectivity - creating a grey area
• Solutions
  • Open Invention Network - pooling protection
  • 3rd party insurance policies
  • Ask nicely - getting agreements not to sue
  • Cold War!
  • Safety in numbers!
• Conclusion

Size : 1 MB