Microsoft has been granted its 5,000th US technology
patent, as it increasingly uses it intellectual property as a
marketing pitch to new customers considering alternative
open-source systems.
The latest patent to come Microsoft’s way relates to its Xbox
360 gaming platform. The patent describes technology that improves
“spectator experience” in games.
With Linux and other open-source software users potentially open
to litigation from companies claiming their patents have been
violated in open-source software development, Microsoft keenly
promotes the fact that its heavily patented software offers
protection to users.
The ongoing SCO case against Linux suppliers and customers has
helped Microsoft in its cause.
However, open-source advocates can point to the fact that
Microsoft users have recently had to update two major Microsoft
products in recent weeks, as a result of Microsoft becoming
embroiled in patent disputes.
Users were forced to update their Microsoft Office suite after a
court found that Microsoft had infringed a patent held by an
individual relating to the way the Access database interfaced with
the Excel spreadsheet.
In addition, users were recently required to update their
Internet Explorer browsers, as Microsoft’s patent dispute with
Eolas over interactive browser technology dragged on.