On Thu, 2004-09-16 at 06:59 -0700, william(at)elan.net wrote:
I searched through US Patent database for Microsoft applications in
the last several years and there are lots and lots of them and some to
me look similar to techniques in use by some open-source projects. This
tactic by such a large company is very disturbing because they know that
open-source movement in general is based on individual collaborative work
and they do not have the money and resources to fight microsoft patents.
If this is true then I don't think that this is an appropriate forum in
which to discuss it.
If the applications are extremely similar to prior art and contain no
significant originality, then it sounds like the criminal offence of
fraud may have been committed.
You should take it up with your own local authorities if you have such
concerns.
--
dwmw2