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MICROSOFT SAYS OPEN SOURCE INFRINGES ON PATENTS
COMPANY SEEKS LICENSING AGREEMENTS, NOT LITIGATION
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In this issue of the FINFlash Update...
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LEAD STORY: MICROSOFT FAULTS MISUSE OF PATENTS BY OPEN SOURCE
On May 13, Microsoft publicly acknowledged that more that 235 of the company’s patents are incorporated into open source software, including Linux and Open Office. Last November, the company formed a groundbreaking alliance with Linux distributor Novell that allows Novell and its customers to use Microsoft patents. Microsoft is seeking similar agreements with other open source organizations. Unfortunately, some factions of the open source software community want to prevent future collaborations like the Microsoft-Novell alliance. “It's important for everyone to understand that there is a real problem with Linux patents and that there is a need for a solution,” said Horacio Gutierrez, Microsoft vice president for intellectual property and licensing.
Read more
www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=199501831
INTEROP NEWS: DELL, NEW CUSTOMERS EMBRACE MICROSOFT-NOVELL ALLIANCE
In May, Dell became the first major computer manufacturer to enable its customers to take advantage of the benefits of the groundbreaking Microsoft-Novell collaboration. Dell will purchase Novell SUSE Linux Enterprise Server certificates from Microsoft and establish a services and marketing program to help customers establish Windows-Linux mixed source environments. On May 8, Microsoft and Novell also announced 12 new customers to take advantage of the collaboration. These customers represent a broad range of industries, including financial services, food marketing, information services, technology services, and aerospace. The new customers also include the State of California, Department of Fish and Game—the first public sector organization to benefit from the Microsoft-Novell alliance.
Read more...
www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,2126611,00.asp
www.cbronline.com/article_news.asp?guid=D4B42025-7AD7-4712-AB17-5E39C74F080B
COMPETITION NEWS: MICROSOFT ACQUIRES ONLINE AD COMPANY AQUANTIVE
On May 18, Microsoft announced that it was purchasing online advertising company aQuantive for approximately $6 billion -- Microsoft’s largest acquisition ever. The acquisition represents another step in Microsoft’s strategy to provide a world-class Internet advertising platform, together with related tools and services. This segment of the technology industry is undergoing rapid change. In recent months, Google announced that it was buying online ad company DoubleClick, and Yahoo acquired Right Media.
Read more...
www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9019851
TECH TIP: FIND WIFI HOTSPOTS WHEN YOU TRAVEL THIS SUMMER
Millions of families are hitting the road this summer for a little rest, relaxation, adventure, and fun. As you travel, you may want to connect to the Internet to check your email, post travel photos, blog about your vacation, and more. It’s easy to connect at a WiFi hotspot using your laptop or other digital device. Many hotels, cafes, public libraries, and even campsites and parks offer free or paid WiFi hotspots. Before you travel, search for some hotspots. Look at hotel Web sites or search a hotspot directory such as the MSN WiFi Hotspot Locator:
http://hotspot.msn.com/web/SearchView.aspx
TAKE THE NEW TECH TRIVIA CHALLENGE
The FIN’s Tech Trivia question that tests your knowledge -- or online searching ability. (Try Windows Live Search at www.live.com/.)
The Economist Intelligence Unit just released an innovation study with rankings of the most innovative countries. The U.S. ranked number 3 behind Japan and Switzerland. Which country was NOT a top ten innovator for the years 2002-2006?
- France
- Germany
- Taiwan
- Israel
- Denmark
To submit your answer and view the answer to the previous question, visit
www.freetoinnovate.com/ssl/techTrivia.asp
THE FIN PULSE
The FIN Pulse is an informal online poll that lets FIN members see how others use technology and think about policy issues.
This month, we ask, “How do you use your mobile phone?”
Go to www.freetoinnovate.com to participate in the FIN Pulse.
Do you have a great tech trivia question that will stump FIN members? Send it to us (together with a verifiable answer by emailing msfin@microsoft.com.
For Top Stories and Tech Headlines, updated weekly, visit the FIN Web site:
www.microsoft.com/freedomtoinnovate/
And remember, it’s never too late to write your legislators to let them know what issues are important to you. To identify and email your legislators, visit: www.freetoinnovate.com
Need help writing your legislator? You can find tips for communicating with legislators, along with news, tech policy information and more, at the Freedom to Innovate Network Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/freedomtoinnovate/
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