The misuse of software patents has become rife in the software industry, with common software features being claimed as proprietary "intellectual property". Worse, these claims are being used by large companies like Microsoft and Apple to extort payment from other companies. In my mind, this is a virtual statement by those companies that they are no longer capable of innovation.
The latest such misuse is in the form of a lawsuit by Microsoft against Barnes & Noble, claiming that its Nook eBook reader infringes on Microsoft patents due to its use of the Android operating system. Seriously, is there ANYTHING more pathetic than a company like Microsoft attacking a book selling company in this economy because they won't hand over their figurative lunch money?
This article is the best summary of the situation that I have seen recently:
Drunk On Licensing Fees And Patents, Microsoft Has Become A Joke.
Other companies have been down this road before. For example, SCO. In 10 years, will anyone except former employees and a lot of lawyers remember SCO or Darl McBride, Microsoft's former anti-Linux sock puppet?
Snap out of it, Microsoft. Go back to your roots and focus on innovation again (you have the people with the smarts for it) or age with dignity but stop acting like a high school bully, either way.
Sincerely, Don
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