algeriatul team mailing list archive

[Faldegast <faldegast@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> I guess everyone has heard that HTC and Microsoft has signed a deal that
> makes HTC pay royalties to Microsoft for its Android OS use, implying
> that Android has infringed MS's "Linux patents".  Also everyone knows
> that the Android OS is close or has reached its critical mass,  hence,
> companies like Apple and Microsoft has been shaking the tree for patent
> infingements.   My point is when Ubuntu reaches the same status as
> Android, will it be prone to threats to patent infringements,
> specifically similar to what Microsoft has been nailing HTC????

The answer is yes. However I do not think that the entire Linux
community will fall flat and pay Microsoft. Instead the battle will be
in court and many of those "Linux" patents will be invalidated.

The worst-case scenario is that there will be a small fee to pay for
Linux users. Xandros has a "covenant" with Microsoft and users can opt
in by paying $50 for it. Red Hat has a patent warranty included in their
product. They have chosen to not pay and will meet patent holders in
court should they choose to sue.

I see the $50 covenant as the worst-case scenario, and that is not
really that expensive. Of course paying such a covenant fee also imply
that we can use any known patented technology that we currently exclude
from Linux-based products.

Personally I do not run Linux because it is cheap. I do not mind paying for it. I run it because of its quality.
 		 	   		  
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-- 
Microsoft has a majority market share
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1
You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu 4
dz, which is a direct subscriber.

Status in Club Distro: Invalid
Status in Computer Science Ubuntu: Invalid
Status in EasyPeasy Overview: Invalid
Status in Ichthux - Linux for Christians: Invalid
Status in JAK LINUX: Invalid
Status in The OpenOffice.org Suite: Invalid
Status in Tabuntu: Invalid
Status in A simple player to online TV streaming: Invalid
Status in Tv-Player: New
Status in Ubuntu: In Progress
Status in “ubuntu-express” package in Ubuntu: Invalid
Status in The Jaunty Jackalope: Invalid
Status in “ubuntu-express” source package in Jaunty: In Progress
Status in Baltix GNU/Linux: Confirmed
Status in “linux” package in Debian: Confirmed
Status in Fluxbuntu: The Lightweight, Productive, Agile OS: Confirmed
Status in openSUSE: New
Status in Tilix Linux: New

Bug description:
Microsoft has a majority market share in the new desktop PC marketplace.
This is a bug, which Ubuntu is designed to fix.

Non-free software is holding back innovation in the IT industry, restricting access to IT to a small part of the world's population and limiting the ability of software developers to reach their full potential, globally. This bug is widely evident in the PC industry.

Steps to repeat:

1. Visit a local PC store.

What happens:
2. Observe that a majority of PCs for sale have non-free software pre-installed.
3. Observe very few PCs with Ubuntu and free software pre-installed.

What should happen:
1. A majority of the PCs for sale should include only free software like Ubuntu.
2. Ubuntu should be marketed in a way such that its amazing features and benefits would be apparent and known by all.
3. The system shall become more and more user friendly as time passes.