Microsoft wants royalties from users and distributors of open-source software which it claims violates 235 of its patents reports Fortune magazine. As an example it says the Linux kernel infringes on 42 patents, while its user interface and design elements infringe on a further 65.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer says its open-source competitors need to "play by the same rules as the rest of the business" and that "what's fair is fair."
Rather than going to court though, Microsoft seems to be employing a cunning plan which involves "encouraging" large tech companies that depend on Linux to ink patent deals with them. It seems that it'll only be a matter of time before Microsoft starts getting "nasty" with those companies who don't come around to their way of thinking.
Microsoft announced its financial results for Q3 of fiscal year 2026, including an update on its gaming Xbox business and more.
Not looking good. Hopefully Asha Sharma is able to turn Phil’s disaster around.
To me it's still quite remarkable how they can cash-in 5.3bn in revenue in a single quarter, since their hardware is basically dead.
The stock mark is what makes Microsoft remarkable, They have convinced every institutional and retail investor to just keep piling money into them. Like many big tech giants they are just a big growing pyramid scheme. As long as people keep dropping money into ETF's that cover the market Microsoft will always be liquid. At the same time it is completely stifling innovation and competition. People need to start being more discreet in how they invest their money as it's killing the system.
Riiiiight because people will just flock back to them for one or two games per year.
15+ years of bad performance is what they call irreparable in business. It is time for them to sell off the assets and get out of entertainment.
These declines are on the back of extra revenue received from releasing games like Forza horizon 5 on PlayStation. So I’m being sarcastic here when I said they should go back to exclusives. Killing off a revenue stream from Ps5 sales will only make things worse
Thanks to the slip-up of an artist working on the title, we now have more evidence that a new Injustice game is in the works.
Spiders: "We're going to cut straight to the chase so you're not left wondering: After a long period without clear answers, we have received confirmation that Spiders is being liquidated.
What does it mean? This means the company as a whole no longer exists. We'll cease our functions immediately. The planned DLC will release via Nacon, and then-- well, that's it.
We're sorry that it's come to this and would like to thank each and every one of you for your support over the years.
If you have any questions or run into issues with your games, please contact Nacon directly as we'll no longer be able to reply."
same rules should apply to all !
if microsoft has to pay for these sort of things as has been reported here before !
then others should have to when its microsoft with the patents !
i'm mean microsoft gives large amounts of its money back in charity, bill & melinda foundation rocks
i hate patents like this !
all im saying is is microsoft have to pay so should others have to pay microsoft !
with any luck this will blow up big time and the patent laws will be changed !
Is it even possible to claim royalties on something that is free?