Open source violation
Microsoft claims that free open source software violates 235 Microsoft patents.
A patent protects new inventions which cover how things work, this gives the owner the rights to prevent others from making, using, importing or selling the invention without permission.
Microsoft licensing Chief Horacio Gutierrez claimed Linux violates 42 Microsoft patents, Linux graphical user interfaces violates 65 patents, Open Office violates 45, various free/open e-mail programs violates 15, and other open-source software applications violate 68 Microsoft patents. Gutierrez said, "This is not a case of some accidental, unknowing infringement. …There is an overwhelming number of patents being infringed".
Dan Ravicher found 283 patents, which 27 were owned by Microsoft could be a basis for Linux infringement lawsuits. Novell's licensing deal guaranteed that at least one Linux distribution was licensed so that there were no patent violations, and that Microsoft had to accept Linux is to stay.
References:
ZD Net, Microsoft: Free and open source software violates 235 Microsoft patents - http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=436 [Online][cited 30/01/08]
Computer world, Microsoft wants royalties for open-source software - http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9019238 [Online][cited 30/01/08]