Re: [DotGNU]IBM, Microsoft plot Net takeover

[Barry Fitzgerald]

David Sugar wrote:
> 
> As far as I recall, the patents involved refer to specific "extensions"
> to SOAP, rather than to a reference or "standard" implimentation.  One
> could simply, for example, create an "extension" to HTTP and then
> similarly misuse the patent system to make some patent claim on it
> (https? :), but this does not invalidate or encumber the original
> standard or reference implimentations of the original standard or our
> ability to create free software for or using the original standard.
> 
> The risk is one where the extension becomes a defacto standard onto
> itself or one a maliable standards body might wish to endorse, like what
> happened to https.  With the way current patent laws are enforced in
> this country, this can potentially happen to any protocol family and
> represents a common risk to software freedom everywhere.  Certainly it
> is not a specific problem unique to SOAP.
> 


Agreed - but we could still fight the patent if necessary.  But, in this
situation, it's equally possible to use the base standard and create our
own unencumbered extensions to the standard.  

        -Barry