MESSAGE
| DATE | 2003-12-06 |
| FROM | Mike Richardson - NYLXS PRESIDENT
|
| SUBJECT | Subject: [hangout] Part 5 Re: [DMCA_Discuss] Microsoft to start charging for FAT format
|
On Sat, 6 Dec 2003, Matthew T. Russotto wrote:
>
> On Friday, December 5, 2003, at 01:03 AM, Jon O. wrote:
>
> >
> > http://www.dpreview.com/news/0312/03120403microsoftisfat.asp
> >
> > 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).
> >
> > Phil: Surely flash memory manufacturers can get around this by simply
> > not pre-formatting cards?
>
> It's not even that hard. Even if these patents have validity and
> applicability (something I doubt), all they'd need to do is make one
> FAT image using a legal program -- such as Windows itself -- and then
> block-copy that image onto their cards. Or even use a Windows machine
> to format each of their cards. Even Microsoft can't get away with the
> claim that the output of a patented device is itself covered by the
> patent.
>
> Most digital cameras use 8.3 filenames, and wouldn't be affected by the
> patents MS has revealed (though they darkly hint at others in process)
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
> ------------------------
> http://www.anti-dmca.org
> ------------------------
>
> DMCA_Discuss mailing list
> DMCA_Discuss-at-lists.microshaft.org
> http://lists.microshaft.org/mailman/listinfo/dmca_discuss
>
____________________________
NYLXS: New Yorker Free Software Users Scene
Fair Use -
because it's either fair use or useless....
NYLXS is a trademark of NYLXS, Inc
|
|
