Microsoft Claims Patent On Elements of Embedded Linux?

Preedit writes "An InformationWeek story points out a recent deal between Microsoft and Japanese printer maker Kyocera Mita. Under the agreement, Kyocera obtained from Microsoft a license to patents used in 'certain Linux-based embedded technologies.' The question the author asks is why Kyocera needs a patent license from Microsoft to develop its embedded Linux products."

Simple

[eclectro]

Agree to the deal or get a chair in your face.

Re:Simple

[Tackhead]

> Agree to the deal or get a chair in your face.

Close, but those aren't the right laws. Here are laws.

MONKEYDOME!

0) Who run Microtown? STEVIE BALLMER RUN MICROTOWN!
1) Two competitors enter, ONE MONOPOLIST LEAVES!
2) Agree to the deal, or YOUR IP WE'LL STEAL!
3) Laissez-faire? FACE THE CHAIR!

Re:They Don't.

[corychristison]

That puff was logic?
Damnit! I thought it was Opium. :-(

Re:Japanese culture?

[Tablizer]

He thinks that it goes against the Japanese culture to use a technology without paying for it, that it shows disrespect to not pay for software licenses. He is not even allowed to consider using Linux or any other OSS for that matter.

What if they donate some money to antarctic penguin preservation?
         

Re:Simple

[ozmanjusri]

...or get a chair in your face.

Worse than that.

"We believe that intellectual property licensing is an empowering way to bring innovation to the IT ecosystem," said David Kaefer, general manager of Intellectual Property and Licensing at Microsoft.

"Empowering way to bring innovation to the IT ecosystem"??? I've been read Vogon poetry that was less nauseating than that line.

Re:Useless Article...

[Anonymous Coward]

I used to be an embedded Linux developer.

How did you escape? Desolder your way out?