MS is an [-]true[/-] unfair competitor by using the FAT disk layout patents against Linux to
coerce handset makers to pay up.
AFAIK, you are not allowed to patent structures, only methods, but the flawed USPO granted it.
Amen to that, I would even go so far as to name them Mafiasoft. (Pay protection money or else I'll break your kneecaps)
If you read what Microsoft does and how it does the license deals you will understand why. The people are not allowed to discuss in any way the deal's they made or the deal is off, now that tells me something fishy going on, esp seeing that the Linux world has asked how many times for Microsoft to show what patents Linux violates. Also Microsoft not targeting any of the big boy's that Linux is connected to, the likes of IBM, Red Hat, Conical, Google....
But at least they license out, unlike Apple that refuse to license their portfolio.
What USA has to watch out for a s break in the system when OEM's start making 2 versions, US that is striped down and World that has all the features. remember not all countries have software patents in fact most dont.
Go read:
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/05/28/100033867/ (Microsoft start targeting anything Linux)
http://everydaylht.com/2010/05/05/microsofts-got-nothin-the-patent-war-against-linux/ (What do they Have?)
http://www.forbes.com/asap/2002/0624/044.html (How the new age Mafia works and why)
A good Movie on patents
http://patentabsurdity.com/
Anyway, I hope Nokia well with there new overlords, that will dump em in a second the moment they dont play along, but I guess that is why Elop is there, to make sure they do Mafiasofts bidding.