Microsoft Plays out its Patents in Suing TomTom
Microsoft has filed a lawsuit against TomTom. The navigation systems vendor is allegedly violating eight Microsoft patents, three involving Linux.
A report in TechFlash announced Microsoft's patent claim against the portable GPS car navigation vendor TomTom Inc. The company produces navigation devices based on Linux and the lawsuit alleges that they violated five MS patents, three of them specific to Linux:
- Patent 5,579,517, Common Name Space for Long and Short Filenames, issued November 1996
- Patent 5,758,352, Common Name Space for Long and Short Filenames, issued May 1998
- Patent 6,256,642, Method and System for File System Management Using a Flash-Erasable, Programmable, Read-only Memory, issued July 2001
Microsoft claims that it tried many times to reach an agreement with TomTom over the patent rights. Not hearing from them, Microsoft decided to go ahead with the lawsuit.
The Redmond company has claimed for years that Linux violated around 230 of its patents. How the current three fit into this category only the courts can decide. We'll see if TomTom wants to go so far as to settle outside of them.
Issue 256/2022
Buy this issue as a PDF
News
-
Ubuntu Budgie Sets its Sights on Gamers
The upcoming release of Ubuntu Budgie includes a few nifty features that should make the lives of gamers a bit easier.
-
Linux Mint Edge Is Ready for the Newest Hardware
With the release of Linux Mint 20.03 comes a new version geared for newer hardware.
-
Linux Mint 20.3 Now Available
That latest release of Linux Mint is now available for general use and offers a polished, but less Mint-y theme.
-
Linux is Getting an Exciting New Firmware Feature
Intel is bringing a new driver to the 5.17 kernel that will make it possible to update firmware without a reboot.
-
Elementary OS 6.1 Has Been Released
The .1 version of the sixth iteration of elementary OS (named Odin) is now available for download and takes the distribution to new heights of refinement.
-
Linux Mint 20.3 Beta is Now Available
The developers of Linux Mint have made the beta of their latest release available for download and installation.
-
EndeavorOS 21.4 Has Arrived
Arch-based EndeavorOS 21.4 is finally available for download with plenty of new features and improvements.
-
NixOS 21.11 Now Available for Download
NixOS “Porcupine” has been made available for installation and includes numerous improvements.
-
KDE Plasma Developers Introduce a GNOME-Like Overview
A new overview effect makes it easier for users to interact with both Plasma Activities and Virtual Desktops.
-
Rocky Linux 8.5 Now Available with Secure Boot Support
The latest iteration of CentOS alternative, Rocky Linux has arrived and includes numerous updates as well as support for Secure Boot.