[Am-info] Microsoft's new patent

[John Poltorak]

On Thu, Dec 13, 2001 at 11:13:46AM -0500, Joe Moore wrote:
> I've read through Microsoft's new patent on Digital Rights Management
> in the Operating System.
> http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/search-adv.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=CR99&S1=5,892,900.UREF.&OS=ref/5,892,900&RS=REF/5,892,900
> 
> From my interpretation, when Microsoft implements technology that is protected
> under this patent, you will have to shut down ALL "non-trusted" applications
> in order to use your "trusted" application.
> 
> "You are trying to access content which can not be viewed while other
> applications are running.  Exit Netscape and try again."
> 
> Using this patented technology means that only microsoft-blessed code 
> can be run on your computer if you want to view microsoft-"protected"
> content.  Wow.  <sarcasm>Are there any anticompetitive aspects to this?</>

It's OK, anti-competitive behaviour by Microsoft is enshrined in the 
American Constitution...

In fact I think Microsoft are currently re-writing the American Constitution 
to make it illegal for any other company to develop software unless it has 
been explicitly approved from Redmond. There is even talk about Redmond 
taking over from Washington DC as the capital since it too far for Bill 
Gates to go to run the country.
 
> --Joe
> -- 
> When you find yourself on the cutting edge of technology, remember:
>    The trailing edge is sharper than the leading edge.


-- 
John