Some of the best thoughts on Microsoft’s patent poll tax

Here are some of the best (new) commentaries on Microsoft’s goofy publicity stunt:

• Linus smacks around the possibility that Linux violates Microsoft’s patents, claiming it’s more likely that Microsoft violates Linux developers’ patents.
• Jerry Rosenthal of the Open Invention Network puts OIN’s patents up against Microsoft’s. Btw, if you’re not a member of OIN, why not?
• PJ at Groklaw dissects the apparent lies that Novell and Microsoft tell each other. Novell/Peter Pettigrew, you really should have known better.
• Bill Hilf clarifies his out-of-character comments on the death of Linux. I was really glad to see Bill do this.
• Stephe Walli challenges Microsoft to sell value to customers, not FUD to customers/vendors (partners).
• Tim O’Reilly draws comparisons between 1950s McCarthyism and Microsoft. When you manage to get Tim against you, you know that you’ve gone too far….
• Stephen O’Grady wades into the fray with his usual diplomacy and measured response.

And that’s just for today. I’m grateful for days like this, when Microsoft gets a fairly clear taste for what the power of community can do. Community that could help it make its next $44 billion. If only it would stop fighting the force that could sustain it. Microsoft makes good software; it doesn’t need to be a lumbering Lenny of a patent troll.