Last word not yet in on software patents.

[Ben Scott]

On 5/22/07, Bruce Dawson <jbd at codemeta.com> wrote:
> See http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/05/22/1224259 (Microsoft
> will not sue over Linux patents)

  Hmmm.  From the actual article:

"If we wanted to go down that road we could have done that three years
ago," said a Microsoft spokesperson. "Rather than litigate, Microsoft
has spent the last three years building an intellectual property
bridge that works for all parties--including open source--and the
customer response has been tremendously positive. Our focus is on
continuing to build bridges."

(http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/software/0,39044164,62014865,00.htm)

  In unrelated news, local mafia boss Fat Tony stated, "Rather than
break kneecaps, my business has spent the last three years building a
business agreements bridge that works for all parties..."

  And there is always the "Darth Vader clause" in any deal that
depends solely on the goodwill of an evil entity which is holding all
the cards.  ("I am altering the deal.  Pray I do not alter it any
further.")

-- Ben