DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

Linus Torvalds to Microsoft: put up or shut up

34 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/linus-torvalds-to-microsoft-put-up-or-shut-up.58185/

nileshgr
nileshgr Original post #1
May 19, 2007 at 11:36 AM
Aw snap. Just when you thought the Microsoft / open-source relationship was getting bad, it’s now getting even worse, as yet another turn has been taken in the on-again, off-again love affair between the two. Soon after Microsoft’s General Counsel claimed that free and open-source software (FOSS) — a bundle of which related to Linux — violated precisely 235 of its patents,

Linus Torvalds decided to fire back on behalf of the little guy. In an interview with InformationWeek, Mr. Torvalds retorted by suggesting that it is actually “a lot more likely that Microsoft violates patents than Linux does,” and even noted that if “the source code for Windows could be subjected to the same critical review that Linux has been, Microsoft would find itself in violation of patents held by other companies.” Of course, he backed his statements by stating that the “fundamental stuff was done about half a century ago and has long, long since lost any patent protection,” and closed things up by insinuating that Redmond should put its cards on the table so that Linux users prove ‘em wrong, or better yet, “code around whatever silly things they claim.” As if you couldn’t tell, them’s fightin’ words, folks.

Source: *www.technoworld.uni.cc/linux/linus-torvalds-to-microsoft-put-up-or-shut-up/

Please give credit to original authors instead of giving url of your own forum.
Kiran.dks
May 19, 2007 at 11:41 AM
This would be interesting fight! :D
mediator
May 19, 2007 at 11:52 AM
WTH, one source redirecting to another source :?:
mediator
May 19, 2007 at 12:46 PM
There was a "read more" or "full story" like link on that page, they removed it I guess, which linked to technoworld and then from there to idm.net and FINALLY I read the full article!! :oops:
nileshgr
May 19, 2007 at 1:10 PM
mediator said:
There was a "read more" or "full story" like link on that page, they removed it I guess, which linked to technoworld and then from there to idm.net and FINALLY I read the full article!! :oops:

Not they. It was me. It is my site!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :p :p :p :p :D :D :D :D
mediator
May 19, 2007 at 1:17 PM
Woo! NIce site. Don't mind, But I think I have seen that design of that site on various other sites!! :razz:
nileshgr
May 19, 2007 at 1:20 PM
mediator said:
Woo! NIce site. Don't mind, But I think I have seen that design of that site on various other sites!! :razz:

May be. It is not my design!!!! :p :p :p :p it is a PHP-script by Fransisco Burzi i.e. PHP-Nuke devel. So it is a theme.
mediator
May 19, 2007 at 2:33 PM
hehe! Cool :D
saurabh.sauron
May 21, 2007 at 10:30 AM
Microsoft has no right to say that Linux violates it's patents. i think that MS is being very high handed. Nice reaction Torvalds...
nileshgr
nileshgr #11
May 21, 2007 at 12:26 PM
saurabh.sauron said:
Microsoft has no right to say that Linux violates it's patents. i think that MS is being very high handed. Nice reaction Torvalds...

Yes. Right. MS is sayin that linux violates its patents. But do you know one thing about Our Much loved windows (not me. i m a linux clone), is not a complete product from MS. In reality Windows is a copied and modified code of unix or apple (Sorry i dont remeber). Probably a copy of unix when it was distributed for free! It is the reality guys.
praka123
praka123 #12
May 21, 2007 at 12:49 PM
M$ again FUDing
kumarmohit
May 21, 2007 at 2:03 PM
saurabh.sauron said:
Microsoft has no right to say that Linux violates it's patents. i think that MS is being very high handed. Nice reaction Torvalds...

Actually They have every right, Just like I have every right to say that I built Qutub Minar, Its called Freedom of Speech and expression. :))
nileshgr
nileshgr #14
May 21, 2007 at 2:30 PM
kumarmohit said:
Actually They have every right, Just like I have every right to say that I built Qutub Minar, Its called Freedom of Speech and expression. :))
Ok you say that u hv built the Qutub Minar. Then why in all history books it is not written that Qutub Minar was built by "kumarohit" :p
gxsaurav
gxsaurav #15
May 21, 2007 at 2:30 PM
The Unknown said:
Yes. Right. MS is sayin that linux violates its patents. But do you know one thing about Our Much loved windows (not me. i m a linux clone), is not a complete product from MS. In reality Windows is a copied and modified code of unix or apple (Sorry i dont remeber). Probably a copy of unix when it was distributed for free! It is the reality guys.

You just won the "Comedian of the year award" :D

MS came up with there own kernel for WIndows 95 & NT.
nileshgr
nileshgr #16
May 21, 2007 at 2:31 PM
gx_saurav said:
You just won the "Comedian of the year award" :D

MS came up with there own kernel for WIndows 95 & NT.
Hey buddy. It is not a joke. My dad told me that thing!
gxsaurav
gxsaurav #17
May 21, 2007 at 2:45 PM
^^^^^ well, you should search on the net then to confirm yourself. This is not the case.
nileshgr
nileshgr #18
May 21, 2007 at 3:03 PM
gx_saurav said:
^^^^^ well, you should search on the net then to confirm yourself. This is not the case.
Leave it. What i want to do by knowing who invented windows or how was it invented. I am a linux clone. So i don't need to know that. :p
gxsaurav
gxsaurav #19
May 21, 2007 at 3:13 PM
Then without getting the facts right, don't speak of something.
Zeeshan Quireshi
May 21, 2007 at 3:17 PM
The Unknown said:
Leave it. What i want to do by knowing who invented windows or how was it invented. I am a linux clone. So i don't need to know that. :p
so what's your name Linux Clone ? CLonux :D
nileshgr
nileshgr #21
May 21, 2007 at 3:54 PM
Zeeshan Quireshi said:
so what's your name Linux Clone ? CLonux :D
Well your question made me LOT POT! But i won't tell my name as i am "The Unknown" My name is known to only selected people.
kumarmohit
May 21, 2007 at 11:18 PM
The Unknown said:
Ok you say that u hv built the Qutub Minar. Then why in all history books it is not written that Qutub Minar was built by "kumarohit" :p
History books also have freedom of speech and expression, Dont they:))
kalpik
kalpik #23
May 21, 2007 at 11:58 PM
kumarmohit said:
Actually They have every right, Just like I have every right to say that I built Qutub Minar, Its called Freedom of Speech and expression. :))
Umm.. Then we also have a fundamental right.. to ignore your posts :D
eddie
eddie #24
May 22, 2007 at 12:01 AM
Oh oh...now that Mohit is playing Steve Ballmer...can I play Brad Smith and say that Mohit built Qutub Minar 235 years before Qutb-ud Din Aybak? :D
kumarmohit
May 22, 2007 at 6:42 AM
Hey Eddie I was joking and ridiculing MS, Just FYI I am not at all a fanboy so I take pride in ridiculing anything that is ridiculous, be it, with MS, Apple, FLOSS overzealots and if need be even Digit.
nileshgr
nileshgr #26
May 22, 2007 at 11:11 AM
kumarmohit said:
Hey Eddie I was joking and ridiculing MS, Just FYI I am not at all a fanboy so I take pride in ridiculing anything that is ridiculous, be it, with MS, Apple, FLOSS overzealots and if need be even Digit.
hahahaha :lol: :lol:
eddie
eddie #27
May 22, 2007 at 1:30 PM
kumarmohit said:
Hey Eddie I was joking and ridiculing MS, Just FYI I am not at all a fanboy so I take pride in ridiculing anything that is ridiculous, be it, with MS, Apple, FLOSS overzealots and if need be even Digit.
Arre I know you were joking and so was I. Do you think I would want to become Brad Smith in real life? *us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/31.gif
kumarmohit
May 22, 2007 at 1:49 PM
Who is Brad Smith anyway:)

Please dont point me to Wikipedia (there is a disambiguation page), I want to know wat you think abt the person (or thing or whatever it is).
eddie
eddie #29
May 22, 2007 at 2:22 PM
Brad Smith is Microsoft's SVP, General Counsel and CS who recently claimed that Linux infringes 235 of Microsoft's patents. A pathetic liar in my book...
nileshgr
nileshgr #30
May 22, 2007 at 3:24 PM
eddie said:
Brad Smith is Microsoft's SVP, General Counsel and CS who recently claimed that Linux infringes 235 of Microsoft's patents. A pathetic liar in my book...

Is it not Steve Ballmer who says the patent saying?
eddie
eddie #31
May 22, 2007 at 7:51 PM
Do you think this is the first time they tried to spread this FUD? Steve Ballmer did it prior to Smith.
nileshgr
nileshgr #32
May 22, 2007 at 9:29 PM
eddie said:
Do you think this is the first time they tried to spread this FUD? Steve Ballmer did it prior to Smith.

No. Ballmer said this first according Digit Mar 07.
eddie
eddie #33
May 22, 2007 at 11:38 PM
The Unknown said:
No. Ballmer said this first according Digit Mar 07.
Yes that is what I am saying as well. Ballmer said it before but the recent attempt was made by Smith.
nileshgr
nileshgr #34
May 23, 2007 at 11:52 AM
eddie said:
Yes that is what I am saying as well. Ballmer said it before but the recent attempt was made by Smith.
I don't know about Smith's attempt.