How will this affect Linux using MP3

[Robin Laing]

Gene Heskett wrote:
> On Thursday 22 February 2007, Res wrote:
>> On Thu, 22 Feb 2007, Gene Heskett wrote:
>
> Yeah, I'm working on that too, within the limits of my diabetes.
> 
> I think, if this stands, then M$ will have no choice but to sue Fahnhoffer 
> for breach of contract.  I've since read that somehow, Fahnhoffer has 
> come into the clutches of the former AT&T behemoth, so there has to be 
> someone, somewhere within that organization who needs to wear the blame 
> for this one.
> 
> Of course to call a spade a bloody shovel, these guys have turned into the 
> same quality of patent troll that nailed RIM for 600+ million.  I can 
> recall faintly when such things would have been handled with a shotgun & 
> a shovel.  Things were still a bit wild & wooly back in the 30's... Ya 
> know, we still haven't found Jimmy Hoffa...
> 
> Whats even more interesting ATM is the days verbal arguments at the 
> Supremes, they both SIDES, are painting themselves into a corner that may 
> yet generate a ruling on the patentability of software even if that 
> wasn't the point of the suit in the first place.  Breyer and Ginsberg are 
> both asking questions from what appear to be very well clued in 
> perspectives.  There may yet be hope of real justice if we all pray real 
> hard.
> 
> And no, I'm not a preacher, nor do I play one on tv, so don't send your 
> money to me. :)
> 

The issue isn't the license MS has but with whom they don't have 
licenses.  This was on CNET today.

Patent fights are a legacy of MP3's tangled origins
http://news.com.com/Patent+fights+are+a+legacy+of+MP3s+tangled+origins/2100-1027_3-6164165.html

This article covers this mess.  In basic points, the MP3 patent is not a 
single patent but multiple patents owned by multiple organizations.

Maybe the end of mp3 and the move to ogg or something open source.  :)

A time to end software patents.

-- 
Due to the move to M$ Exchange Server,
    anything that is a priority, please phone.
Robin Laing