Re: [Fsfe-uk] US Lawyer says sue me first :-)

[Guy Johnston]

Ian Lynch wrote:
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Christian Einfeldt <address@hidden>
> Date: 19-May-2007 08:11
> Subject: [odf-discuss] Sue me first, Microsoft!
> To: ODF Discussion List <address@hidden>
> 
> 
> hi,
> 
> Maybe this is a good idea, maybe not.  For the purposes of fighting
> the Microsoft patent FUD, I have publicly challenged Microsoft to sue
> me first for patent violations, if any, due to the fact that I use OOo
> and several GNU Linux distros and whole bunch of FOSS besides that.
> My goal here is to get lots of people to sign up on this page to show
> that they are not afraid of Microsoft's unprovable, unmeritorious
> patent claims against FOSS.  Eight other people have joined me in
> asking Microsoft to put up or shut up:
> 
> http://digitaltippingpoint.com/wiki/index.php?title=Sue_me_first_Microsoft_list
> 
> If anyone on this list would like to join us, I would be grateful!
> Also, if anyone thinks that this story is newsworthy, I would also be
> grateful for a mention on digg or /.   Thanks either way!
> 
> I listed my reasons here for challenging Microsoft:
> 
> http://digitaltippingpoint.com/wiki/index.php?title=Sue_me_first%
> 2C_Microsoft
> 
> Also, many thanks to PJ and the Groklaw team for the very funny and
> incisive story on the Novell coupons killing the Microsoft patent
> claims:
> 
>  http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20070518124020691
> 

If you live in the UK (as I assume because this is a mailing list aimed at 
people in the UK, and
from the address at the bottom of your message), I'm not sure this will work. 
As far as I know,
Microsoft's specific claims about patents only apply to the US, and a 
particular patent only applies
in the country where it was applied for (except maybe in the EU). Also, as far 
as I know, software
idea patents can't be granted in the EU (at least theoretically). So either 
way, if you're in the
UK, I don't think Microsoft are even claiming to be able to sue you.

-- 
Please avoid sending me Microsoft Office files - 
http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/no-word-attachments.html.
Don't get Windows Vista, get GNU/Linux - http://www.getgnulinux.org.