Re: Gates Patents Flipping a Light Switch

[phil hunt]

On Sat, 15 May 2004 15:13:11 -0400, Barry Margolin <barmar@alum.mit.edu> wrote:
>In article <slrncac935.m82.zen19725@cabalamat.cabalamat.org>,
> zen19725@zen.co.uk (phil hunt) wrote:
>
>> On Fri, 14 May 2004 16:45:21 -0400, Barry Margolin <barmar@alum.mit.edu> 
>> wrote:
>> >
>> >No, I didn't overlook it.  My point is that without patents, even these 
>> >rare wins would be virtually impossible.  Patents are one of the few 
>> >weapons a small player can wield against a behemoth like Microsoft.
>> 
>> On the contrary, patents help microsoft in their fight against pesky 
>> competition, especially that of the open source variety. MS *loves* 
>> patents, because it gives them the chance to make it a crime for 
>> anyone to compete with them.
>
>Of course it helps Microsoft.  It helps *everyone* -- big guys and 
>little guys.

So, IYO, criminalising open source software helps people who use 
open source software.

You're an idiot, aren't you?

-- 
"It's easier to find people online who openly support the KKK than 
people who openly support the RIAA" -- comment on Wikipedia
(Email: zen19725 at zen dot co dot uk)