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April 18, 2007
You Get What You Pay For
The
Software Freedom Law Center asserts that every Microsoft Windows®
user pays $21 in
patent tax, based on rough calculations of patent infringement
damages, settlements, and legal fees Microsoft paid, whereas Linux users pay $0.
So, Windows users, you're paying for the best software Microsoft could make,
regardless of who invented the technology, whereas Linux users don't have to pay
anything, because Linux doesn't have any patented innovation in it,
at least hypothetically; to wit, Linux users pay $0 until Linux is sued
for infringing patents, which it most certainly does. In other words, Linux
users are patent tax evaders. Software freedom indeed.
Not mentioned #1: Microsoft paid too much, being chronically pig-headed about taking advantage of patent purchase, licensing, or settlement opportunities.
Not mentioned #2: Apple Macintosh® users pay a bit for their patented technology.
Posted by Patent Hawk at April 18, 2007 3:47 PM | Patents In Business