Microsoft FAT File System Patents - More of this shit?
 

Microsoft's FAT charges

Microsoft will soon be charging manufacturers of flash memory card devices and those which use them $0.25 per unit or up to $250,000 to use the FAT filesystem. For those who are unaware the FAT file system was developed by Microsoft back in 1976 and has become the standard file system for all digital still cameras. Microsoft owns patents to the FAT File System but for many years hasn't even hinted that it may one day decide to charge for it. These new licenses appear to come into effect immediately and specifically make mention of 'compact flash memory cards' and 'portable digital still cameras'. What a great way for Microsoft to cash in on the most popular consumer products (as if they don't make enough money already). (14:10 GMT)

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0312/03...osoftisfat.asp

When will this patent shit end?? Seems like everyone is jumping on the bandwagon.

Actually, imho Microsoft has every right to do this. They *DID* invent the FAT filesystem. Why should other manufactures cash in on what they developed.

Now as far as Acacia is concerned, do you really think they invented "digital compressed media transfer" or trying to cash in on the lose patent laws in the US?

Just my 2 cents...

V

good point.......I guess I just think it's a bit scary how companies are all starting to use the patent angle to make money....which ultimately costs consumers more.

First kill all the lawyers.....

pretty sure has microsoft has rooms full of patents that they have either bought, stolen or created on their own. why not have teams of people coming up with ideas that they predict are coming because of change and technology? thats why microsoft is more than a company, they're an empire and this is just one of the reasons why:2 cents:

What Volantt said about Microsoft :thumbsup

Actually, before MS recently decided to let other companies pay to use their patented technologies, *nobody* could use them except MS. Just recently, they are starting to let other companies use their patented tech. for a licencing fee. This is fair, and is allowing other companies to extend the usefulness of the stuff that MS used to just closet away when they were done with it.

This is a good thing, regardless of how much you hate MS (like me).

Funny but true quote I overheard at a "mainstream" job:
"At least Microsoft pays for the crap that they acquire. (Insert name of a HUGE database company) just steals your shit without paying for it." So fucking true.

anyone stupid enough to use microshit deserves what they get.

haven't used microshit in years.

Starting to? lol, no, I think you're just starting to learn about business.

:1orglaugh

:thumbsup

Only lazy selfish mother fuckers patent something they aren't even intelligent enough to have created on thier own by buying a patent for something that someone "forgot to patent or never thought to pantent". Is this really how the laws work... I can sit on my ass and pick up someone elses rightful patent on a technicality and then extort money out of people...for a patent that shouldn't have been granted in the first place. What a fucked up world this is. I'm not talking about microsoft people you know who Im refering too.