[OT] Free software versus software idea patents

[harrismh777]

Chris Angelico wrote:
>>     Not so fast there, Steve. If they [Microsoft] are paying anything
>> >  (unsubstantiated, unknowable) to Python, Apache, or (Linux, whatever you
>> >  mean by that term...) there are only two motives:

> http://www.python.org/psf/  - Microsoft is listed.

> http://www.apache.org/foundation/thanks.html  - again, Microsoft is listed

>  (My view is that they believe in positive PR more than they believe in Python or Apache
> or whatever.)

Yes, my view as well. I should clarify... what I mean by unsubstantiated 
and unknowable is that from a sponsorship list alone it is not possible 
to determine (as an outsider) what real level the sponsorship has 
attained, nor what political force for influence or reciprocity has 
occurred.
Microsoft has much to gain from playing well in what remains of their 
corner of the sandbox. But, talk about a day late and a dollar short...

kind regards,

m harris