All Things Microsoft > Microsoft as a Company
EU state rules - Microsoft CAN own patent for FAT long filenames!
Calum:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/04/26/microsoft_german_fat_patent_appeal_upheld/
Basically Microsoft now hold a patent meaning they own the "invention" of implementing long filenames under a FAT or VFAT filesystem! Considering that virtually all operating systems and a huge percentage of handheld devices implement this, and considering the EU is historically not too keen on granting software patents, what does this mean in real terms?
It's not even a case of a technological answer, because a patent means microsoft owns this concept, not the technology used to implement it! Write new code if you want, microsoft are now legally allowed to charge you money for implementing long filenames under FAT regardless of who wrote the code.
Pathetic. That's my opinion anyway.
yourlife:
Microsoft, Microsoft, What is the best type of punishment to undertake on you?
worker201:
I was just looking into this a little bit. It appears that most systems support FAT, but they don't use it themselves. So the very worst that could happen is that a specific avenue of interoperability would close down. Which honestly doesn't sound like it would be in Microsoft's best interest. I could see them going after companies that sell flash cards or USB sticks, but not after Apple and Linux for implementing support.
Kintaro:
I doubt they would go after the companies that make the hardware Windows uses.
This is a software patent anyway, they can't go after hardware just because of how software formats it. Besides, when they sell an empty flash drive - it isn't using long file names yet until a file is saved with one.
Software patents are pretty silly
Kintaro:
--- Quote from: yourlife on 27 April 2010, 20:26 ---Microsoft, Microsoft, What is the best type of punishment to undertake on you?
--- End quote ---
Punishment? It's civil law.
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