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Well here's something we didn't see coming. Microsoft has apparently convinced the patent courts to grant the Redmond company a patent for "sudo," the command every Linux user is familiar with. Think that's mind boggling? Check out the final wording for the patent:
"Although the invention has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or steps described. Rather, the specific features and steps are disclosed as preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention."
So how did Microsoft manage to patent the Linux command? We don't know, and it doesn't look like Groklaw does, either. But one thing's for sure - Red Hat's going to have a conniption.
Image Credit: U.S. Patent Trademark Office
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[1] http://www.maximumpc.com/user/paul_lilly
[2] http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20091111094923390
[3] http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/red_hat_asks_supreme_court_ban_practice_patenting_software
[4] http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/microsoft_bestowed_with_10000th_patent
[5] http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/microsoft_files_patent_hotornot_style_fashion_rating_system
[6] http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/microsoft_doesnt_want_anyone_stealing_its_mouse_patents
[7] http://www.maximumpc.com/tags/linux
[8] http://www.maximumpc.com/tags/microsoft
[9] http://www.maximumpc.com/tags/patent
[10] http://www.maximumpc.com/articles/news