Microsoft Patents 'IsNot'

[Duncan Booth]

Lenard Lindstrom wrote:

> Actually I believe Microsoft is just trying to keep Visual Basic distinct
> from potential competitors.

Probably not even that. Microsoft are simply grabbing patents for anything 
they think is remotely patentable. The primary reason for doing this is 
probably defensive: if anyone threatens to sue Microsoft for patent 
infringement they can almost certainly find grounds to countersue. This is 
a useful position for Microsoft since they have said that in nearly all 
cases they will indemnify their customers against claims that Microsoft 
software infringes patents.

(see http://news.com.com/Microsoft+to+back+customers+in+infringement+cases/2100-1014_3-5445868.html)

Of course they can then use this stance as an argument against using 'risky' 
non-Microsoft software.