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Microsoft to Asia: Linux Scarier than Microsoft, Not

Posted by TimSlavin at November 21, 2004

"The growing popularity of Linux—an open-code software that is freely available on the Internet and easily modified by users—is a threat to the global dominance of Microsoft's Windows.

Linux violates more than 228 patents, according to a recent report from a research group, Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer said at the company's Asian Government Leaders Forum in Singapore."

A Reuters story posted on CNN. Note that the reporter assigns the "Linux violates more than 228 patents" quote to Ballmer. In fact, if you Google the research group website, Open Source Risk Management Group, and find their News page, you will see their reports are more balanced and even favorable to Linux, not Microsoft. Microsoft successfully got its spin through the media filter. But Reuters is not alone, Google News shows the BBC, ZDNet, and others bought the 228 patents line.

But, wait, it gets better. If you read the Open Source Risk Management Group report, Results of First-Ever Linux Patent Review Announced (PDF), there are 283 potential patents (not actual violations, as Ballmer says) that have yet to be litigated. So some or all may not be violations. And the OSRM "report" actually is a press release announcing their new service, ta da, patent insurance for Linux. Bottomline, sloppy "me too" reporting and great PR wins for Microsoft and OSRM. You the reader lost unless you happened to Google.

The most interesting part of the article: the Chinese government has a unique sales objection to Windows. They're concerned using Windows will expose them to the risk that the US government will hack into their computer systems in the event of war over Taiwan. That's a good one. I pity the Microsoft sales person who has to refute that objection.
URLs:

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/biztech/11/19/tech.microsoft.linux3.reut/index.html


http://www.osriskmanagement.com/news.shtml


http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Open+Source+Risk+Management+Group&btnG=Google+Search


http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=228+patents&btnG=Search+News


http://www.osriskmanagement.com/press_releases/press_release_080204.pdf

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