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October 16, 2007
In the Red Hat
Showing
the way for Microsoft to stop shooting off its mouth about Linux getting a
patent free ride and slap down a lawsuit, as if Microsoft needs the money or
their market position is being imperiled; Linux distributors
Red Hat and
Novell are facing the sharp end of the
patent stick; the stick having on its sharp but gooey end moldy Xerox patents
now owned by an Acacia subsidiary:
5,072,412,
5,533,183 and
5,394,521. These patents claimed shared user interface workspaces, but are now
claiming to be able to rake money off the table.
Apple got whacked with the same patents, and settled for an undisclosed sum. Novell earlier this year ponied up licensing lucre for another Acacia foray.
Novell and Red Hat have user indemnification clauses in their software licenses that insure customers from liability. Both also belong to the Linux foundation, which pledges to cover the asses of Linux folk from patent lawsuits. Both companies have been actively involved in the organized anti-patent movement, popular with hard-working but invention-challenged software geeks.
Acacia is America's number one patent monetizer, with 35 portfolios comprising more than 130 patents, and currently involved in 33 pending patent litigations in a wide variety of technologies, including vehicle magnetic brakes, digital media transfer, credit card fraud, and Internet advertising.
Former Microsofties recently flown the coop to Acacia: IP Licensing manager Brad Brunell and strategic alliances maven Jonathan Taub. It's a small world, kids.
Posted by Patent Hawk at October 16, 2007 4:51 PM | Patents In Business