Mundie: Why open source is still questionable
Responding to critics, Microsoft's Craig Mundie says the licensing model used by many open source firms turns existing concepts of intellectual property rights on their heads.
Responding to critics, Microsoft's Craig Mundie says the licensing model used by many open source firms turns existing concepts of intellectual property rights on their heads.
The "open innovation" approach to intellectual property could make sure good ideas don't go to waste.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California may prove pivotal. In committee she expressed concerns about provisions in the bill to expand the ability to challenge patents after they're granted, and to limit damages based on a patented invention's contribution to a final product.
A rejection of a patent application by a U.S. appeals court today is expected to send shockwaves through some industries, notably the software industry, as it will likely put an end to the patenting of "business methods" considered to be more entrepreneurial than innovative.
This new pro-patent business consortium may boast some of industry's heaviest hitters — Apple, GE, IBM, and Microsoft — but it really doesn't have much of a message.
The Senate overwhelmingly passed the first major overhaul to U.S. patent law in more than half a century and no one in Silicon Valley seems happy about it.
The recently announced XML-based file formats for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint -- formats that Microsoft has claimed to be "open" -- are getting some heat for not only pushing the boundaries on the definition of open, but also for the validity of the patents behind them. In addition, the patents behind other Microsoft XML technologies are under heavy scrutiny as well.
weekly roundup I was reminded of the sad realities of the software business when the Open Source Development Labs (OSDL) said it was going to scale back some technical work, and focus on legal issues instead.The OSDL will cut a third of its staff--nine employees in administrative and technical roles will lose their rice bowls.
Any potential enforcement action should not cause unintended harm to smaller players, the Firefox-maker states.
Oracle has taken over the Moscone Center and cordoned off streets this week in San Francisco for the annual gathering of its tribe. Last night CEO Larry Ellison celebrated the 30th anniversary of the company he founded, with "Saturday Night Live" member Darrell Hammond doing an Ellison imitation.