cbbrowne-HInyCGIudOg at public.gmane.org writes:

...

As the title says. Impact on Linux ?

If the claims are true, that there are "live" patents still in place on FAT, then it is conceivable that there might be patent infringments, or at least places where MSFT could _claim_ that there are.

IANAL but, as I understand it, damages in a pattern infringement case are usually awarded on the basis of lost profit, i.e. the profit M$ would have made if it weren't for the infringement. Linux users who want access to their FAT files (from within Linux) aren't about to purchase an M$ product (or licensed product) since there's no product available with the required functionality. Consequently, while patents might have been infringed, damages are $0. -- tim writer <tim-s/rLXaiAEBtBDgjK7y7TUQ at public.gmane.org> starnix inc. 905.771.0017 ext. 225 thornhill, ontario, canada http://www.starnix.com professional linux services & products -- The Toronto Linux Users Group. Meetings: http://tlug.ss.org TLUG requests: Linux topics, No HTML, wrap text below 80 columns How to UNSUBSCRIBE: http://tlug.ss.org/subscribe.shtml