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● 08.06.07

●● Mr. Shuttleworth Calls Microsoft’s Actions What They Are — Extortion (Updated)

Posted in FUD, Intellectual Monopoly, Interview, Microsoft, Patents, Ubuntu at 4:53 pm by Dr. Roy Schestowitz

Well done, Mark. Here is what he had to say to eWeek about Microsoft’s patent claims.

=> ↺ had to say to eWeek

“That’s extortion and we should call it what it is,” he said. “To say, as Ballmer did, that there is undisclosed balance sheet liability, that’s just extortion and we should refuse to get drawn into that game. On the other side, if Microsoft is concerned about its intellectual property, there is no one in the free software community that wants to violate anyone’s IP. Disclose the patents and we’ll fix the code. Alternatively, move on.”

Here is what Mark said a few months ago:

=> ↺ said a few months ago

Microsoft is asking people to pay them for patents, but they won’t say which ones. If a guy walks into a shop and says: “It’s an unsafe neighbourhood, why don’t you pay me 20 bucks and I’ll make sure you’re okay,” that’s illegal. It’s racketeering. What Microsoft is doing with intellectual property is exactly the same. It’s a great company and I have great admiration for it, but this was not a well considered position.

Microsoft has already explained why it cannot provide specific details. Are you ready for their explanation? Well, Microsoft says it’s too much paperwork. Do you believe Microsoft?

=> ↺ it’s too much paperwork

Update: There’s more as Mark continues to shoot from the lip. Dana has a good summary, but sadly he turns this into a political debate (which it is not).

=> ↺ good summary

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