[OT] Microsoft filled patent applications for scoped and immutable types

[Era Scarecrow via Digitalmars-d]

  This doesn't bode well...

  Capcom is currently trying to sue another company on a patented 
function which basically allows a game to be 
updated/modified/expanded, yet there are examples of those 
techniques being used for 20 years before they patented their 
function.

  Although M$ doing this seems more like a move in order to muscle 
their way in for other things. Take the actions of their actions 
regarding Novell.

http://www.gnu.org/licenses/rms-why-gplv3.html

[quote]
Another threat that GPLv3 resists is that of patent deals like 
the Novell-Microsoft pact. Microsoft wants to use its thousands 
of patents to make users pay Microsoft for the privilege of 
running GNU/Linux, and made this pact to try to achieve that. The 
deal offers rather limited protection from Microsoft patents to 
Novell's customers.
[/quote]

  It feels like they are trying to make a monopoly where they are 
the only ones able to make compilers, and anything with 'more 
useful features' have to pay them royalties or get a very 
expensive & limited license in order to be left alone.

  Of course there's other cases similar where idiots try to 
copyright the symbol pi, so they can then exploit it in order to 
sue companies and individuals for easy cash...