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

[Nick Sabalausky via Digitalmars-d]

On 8/30/2014 9:49 PM, Era Scarecrow wrote:
>
>   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...

Y'know, that link above is a good example of why FSF and GPL bug me.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a "GPL vs BSD" guy. I genuinely believe both 
have their place, and the difference lies in is what your, and your 
project's, exact goals are.

And I completely agree with the full extent of Stallman's famously 
ultra-strict villainization of closed-box proprietary shackle-ware. That 
shit pisses me off far more than it does most people.

And I *do* appreciate that GPL, unlike BSD, can *realistically* be 
cross-licensed with a commercial license in a meaningful way and used on 
paid commercial software (at least, I *think* so, based on what little 
anyone actually *can* comprehend of the incomprehensible GPL).

I *do* agree with Stallman's views, even most of the more extreme ones, 
I *want* to like FSF and GPL, but...

...but then there's stuff like that link above.

He keeps harping on how MS is being evil, and GPL v3 prevents the evil 
MS is attempting...but jesus crap he *WILL NOT* spend ONE FUCKING WORD 
on ***HOW*** the shit any of that supposedly works. We're supposed to 
just blindly accept all of it just like the good little corporate whores 
he keeps trying to crusade that we *shouldn't* be. Shit.

The FSF constantly sounds just like one of those worthless pro-issue #XX 
/ anti-issue #XX asshats we have to put up with every voting season:

Stallman: MS is being EEEEeeevil!!

Me:       Um. Ok. I honestly don't doubt that. How are they doing this?

Stallman: They're being evil!! With the evil MS-Novell pact!

Me:       God dammit, Rick, *HOW*?!?

Stallman: ...

Stallman: EEEVIIILL!!!

Me:       Fuck. Fine. Forget it. So tell me about your GPL v3.

Stallman: It stops the MS eeeeviiil!!! Tivoization is bad! Upgrade to 
GPL v3!

Stallman: (But don't feel pressured to upgrade. But do it anyway. Have I 
used the word "tivoization" yet?)

Me:       Ok, *how* does your GPL v3 stop the MS evil?

Stallman: [Full, detailed explanation of DVD's anti-competitive backdoor 
shenanigans]

Me:       Yes, I'm well aware of that. Let's try this again: How does 
your GPL v3 stop *the MS-Novell evil* that you were just...sort 
of...telling me about?

Stallman: It stops it. Duh. Because it's freedom! FREEDOM! Did I mention 
I live under my desk?

Me:       ...

Stallman: Also, my awesome GPL(v3) is so fucking awesome IT EVEN 
FREAKING **BANS ITSELF(v2)**! How freaking FREEDOM is that!?! Sweet, 
right?! FREEEEDOOOOMMM!!!

Me:       Goddammit Stallman, GTF out of here.