Date: Tue, 30 Nov 2004 16:05:31 -0500 (EST)
From:"Linux Pipeline Newsletter" <tw@update.techweb.com>
To:mswier@YAHOO.COM
Subject: [LPN] Linux Pipeline Newsletter - 11-30-04 - Mr. Torvalds Goes To Brussels Linux Pipeline Newsletter | Mr. Torvalds Goes To Brussels | 11.30.2004
Linux Pipeline Newsletter
www.LinuxPipeline.com
Tuesday, November 30, 2004


In This Issue:
  • Editor's Note: Mr. Torvalds Goes To Brussels
  • Top Linux News
        - Firefox Downloads On A Red-Hot Roll
        - Report: $10 Million In Hush Money For Microsoft Critic
        - Browsers At Risk From "Critical" Java Bug
        - More News...
  • Editor's Picks
        - Feature: Open Source Experts Urge EU To Reject Software Patents
        - Special: A Penny For Your Thoughts -- Or Perhaps $50!
        - Opinion: Where To Place Your OS Bets
        - More Picks...
  • Voting Booth: Linux Security Threats
  • Get More Out Of Linux Pipeline
  • Manage Your Newsletter Subscription


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    Editor's Note: Mr. Torvalds Goes To Brussels

    Last week, a group of Open Source pioneers joined a running battle over the future of software patents in the European Union. Over the next several weeks, Europe may adopt the same legal framework that has allowed a bunch of con artists to wreak havoc on the U.S. software industry. Yet it's also possible Europe will take the first step towards dumping software patents once and for all--and force the United States to decide whether it wants to pay more than lip service to the idea of innovation.

    For Linus Torvalds, along with MySQL creator Michael Widenius and PHP developer Rasmus Lerdorf, the time was right to get involved. European law is currently unclear on the legality of software patents; more than 30,000 are on the books, but few are enforced. Pending legislation, however, would legalize software patents, unleashing a flood of litigation and setting off a mad rush to secure new patents. Torvalds and his colleagues know this process could quickly doom open-source software projects, few of which have the resources to compete in a legal land-grab or to defend themselves against licensing demands and infringement claims.

    Open Source Experts Urge EU To Reject Patent Claims

    Torvalds, Widenius and Lerdorf recently addressed the EU Council in an effort to prevent a legislative end-run that could approve the measure without a parliamentary vote. Poland, which like many Central European nations boasts a small but thriving software industry, has already vowed to use its spanking-new swing votes to kill any pro-software patent legislation. In addition, European popular opinion has lined up solidly against the patent proposal, as have groups representing hundreds of thousands of small businesses and entrepreneurs. Taken together, all of this may be enough to derail the measure--or it may not.

    Clearly, it matters whether the world's largest economic federation--including 25 nations and 455 million people--accepts or rejects the intellectual and legal reasoning behind software patents. If Europe buys the argument that copyright protection just isn't enough, in spite of decades of evidence to the contrary, open-source software developers on both sides of the Atlantic could soon find themselves in an unbelievably expensive mess.

    If Europe comes to its senses in time, however, then reform efforts in the United States could benefit as well. American technology firms have long enjoyed the advantages of an economic and legal system that promotes innovation, flexibility, and cutthroat competition. What will they make of European competitors that don't have to bear the cost of endless litigation, unnecessary licensing fees, and the nagging fear that somewhere, somehow, a hungry lawyer is eyeballing every line of code in your new product against their client's patent claims?

    Good luck, Linus.

    Matthew McKenzie
    Editor, Linux Pipeline
    mattcmp@sonic.net
    www.LinuxPipeline.com


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    Top Linux News

    Firefox Downloads On A Red-Hot Roll
    Users downloaded more than 5.6 million copies of the Firefox 1.0 browser since its release two weeks ago, reflecting recent market-share gains against Internet Explorer.

    Report: $10 Million In Hush Money For Microsoft Critic
    Ed Black, the outspoken trade association president who excoriated Microsoft for years, is receiving nearly $10 million from a Microsoft antitrust settlement that aims to eliminate further criticism of Microsoft.

    Browsers At Risk From "Critical" Java Bug
    Security firms find a "critical" flaw in the Java VM that exposes several popular Web browsers, including Internet Explorer and Firefox, to attack.

    Red Hat Preps Enterprise Linux 4
    Red Hat aims to more deeply penetrate the enterprise by launching its first Linux distribution based on the Linux 2.6 kernel.

    Linux Server Revenue Tops $1 Billion In Growing Market
    Research firm IDC says Linux servers posted their ninth consecutive quarter of growth, now accounting for nearly 10 percent of all server revenue.

    Intel Offers Desktop Linux Resources To Asian Partners
    The chipmaker extends documentation, software, and support services to desktop Linux system builders, matching its existing programs for Linux servers and Windows systems.

    Hackers Hit SCO Web Site Again
    Vandals defaced pages on the SCO Group site, including adding a phony announcement that the firm plans to sue Microsoft.

    Ad Firm Describes Hacker Attack, Cites Internet Explorer As Security Risk
    A German online ad firm details an attack that infected some visitors to its clients' sites with the MyDoom/Bofra worm, exploiting an Internet Explorer 6.0 security bug.


    Editor's Picks

    Feature: Open Source Experts Urge EU To Reject Software Patents
    Linux Torvalds and other Open Source pioneers advise the EU to reject a "dangerous" proposal to legalize software patents.

    Special: A Penny For Your Thoughts -- Or Perhaps $50!
    We're currently conducting a quick survey to get your opinions on a variety of Linux and Open Source issues. This is a great chance to help us decide what types of news and features are most valuable to you. And if altruism isn't enough, we'll also throw in a chance to win a $50 Amazon.com gift card in a random drawing.
    Completing the survey is quick, easy, anonymous, and (maybe) profitable! Just click on the link to get started:
    http://update.techweb.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/hkuc0Gz8ol0JYs0Cz7U0Aj

    Opinion: Where To Place Your OS Bets
    Most solutions providers are still on the Windows bandwagon, but more are also weighing open-source alternatives.

    Opinion: JBoss Is Flying High
    Open-source applications are winning over enterprise IT departments, and JBoss is one of the firms leading the charge.


    Voting Booth:

    Cast Your Vote Now!
    Linux Security Threats

    As Linux moves into the commercial mainstream, it also moves increasingly into harm's way. What is the biggest security threat Linux faces today? Let us know, cast your vote!


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