Linus Torvalds: Microsoft bluffs with its patents

Microsoft’s aggressive protection of its intellectual property, which includes allegations that Linux infringes their patents , is nothing more than a “marketing thing,” Linus Torvalds said in an interview with Open Voices ( podcast , transcript ). According to him, Microsoft doesn’t really hope to win any patent case in court (in fact, such cases were very rare), but intellectual property is great for intimidating opponents in order to achieve commercial gain. In this sense, Microsoft is reminiscent of a typical patent troll .

Another reason Microsoft doesn’t go to court with patents is because of its unsightly monopolist position (it’s considered as such). According to lawyers, in this situation it is not very reasonable to crush competitors with patents.

Therefore, “they are very pleased to use patents for stress and the Cold War,” says Linus Torvalds.

The creator of the Linux kernel, usually a taciturn programmer, gave an excellent interview containing a number of interesting thoughts, vivid comparisons and provocations. Statements about patents combine the one and the other, and the third. This interview is only now published for the first time on the Internet, although it was recorded last October - this is why Linus devotes so much attention to the patent topic, which was very relevant at that time. In addition to patents, Linus also talks about his busy work schedule (he works without days off and vacations), about improving the Linux kernel and about the incredible complexity for Linux to conquer the desktop market because of the coherence of thinking of most users.