[KLUG Members] .Net patent could stifle standards effort

[Mike Morrett]

http://news.com.com/2100-1001-984052.html?tag=lh

Microsoft is in the process of applying for a wide-ranging patent that
covers a variety of functions related to its .Net initiative. 

If approved as is, the patent would cover application programming
interfaces (APIs) that allow actions related to accessing the network,
handling Extensible Markup Language (XML), and managing data from
multiple sources. APIs are the hooks in software that allow applications
to work with another system. 

Microsoft declined to elaborate on its plans for the patent, but
intellectual property attorneys said that if it's granted, the company
could dictate how, or whether, developers of software and devices can
link to the .Net initiative. 

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Any chance we could get the Pres to station some troops off the coast of
Washington state?

Mike

P.S.  Dear government listing person, I AM JUST KIDDING!!