As seen here, and the links that are referred to, Microsoft is apparently after the One True Program — Emacs.
They have named the project Emacs.NET. Since GNU Emacs as well as XEmacs is under GPL, they are never going to ‘use’ these code bases in their project. Very well so far.
Emacs is really a unique program. Now, by making something ‘like’ Emacs and using a .NET language for it as extension language, Microsoft will very likely bring out something very similar in spirit to Emacs. Very well so far as well.
What if, after bringing out a few editions of Emacs.NET Microsoft choose to go the patents way? What could happen is, M$ will buy patents under their name for algorithms and techniques that are used in Emacs, which will no doubt be used in Emacs.NET as well. Then wait for Emacs.NET to gain some ground among its users and fans. Then, start their FUD tactics and perhaps offer to sue (GNU ) Emacs. This looks like a possibility. But what will happen? Best we wait for more on this from M$ themselves or, wait until late October of 2008. Given their reputation in keeping deadlines, perhaps late October of 2008 could stretch upto sometime in 2009.
By the way, if you are a seasoned Emacs user or Emacs developer (GNU Emacs and XEmacs in particular since both are under GPL which M$ terms viral. Also, not to be forgotten is their stand against ‘Free Software of which these two Emacsen stand as good programs) and have any contacts in the patents office, just snoop around to see if M$ is already filing for patents on techniques that are being used in Emacs. If yes, please notify SFLC.
Only a few years back, in one of his talks or interviews, RMS had mentioned that nobody had filed any patent infringement suit against GNU Emacs. I hope nobody does in the future as well.
You may call me crazy, cynical or even paranoid. But if I were you, I’d rather wait until I get any snooped info from the patent offices or until Emacs.NET is published.
7 responses so far ↓
DaveK // Friday, January 4, 2008 at 1:42
“What if, after bringing out a few editions of Emacs.NET Microsoft choose to go the patents way?”
Well, the FSF sues them, and then - in a delightful and ironic reversal of roles - we produce the hiring advert, and demand MS prove that they clean-room reverse engineered all of Emacs.NET from the manual only and none of their coders are ‘contaminated’ by having read the sources.
John M. Anderson // Friday, January 4, 2008 at 3:19
They did not name the project Emacs.NET, they described it as such so potential developers would have an understanding of what they’d be developing. An emacs like editor as an alternative to Visual Studio.
Misha // Friday, January 4, 2008 at 4:54
I doubt MS would be able to file patents on features already present in Emacs, as in the patent world there is such a concept as `prior art’.
gnugalaxy // Friday, January 4, 2008 at 8:04
@DaveK
Well, I doubt if it will have to go to FSF suing MS or vice versa. It should only earn them bad publicity.
gnugalaxy // Friday, January 4, 2008 at 8:11
@John M Anderson
I expect they’ll name it Emacs or something that sounds like it eventually. Like Gosling had named for his Emacs before it was called Gosmacs. As an alternative to Visual Studio? I think both will exist alongside. Emacs is much more than an IDE and Visual Studio is an IDE. So how can one be seen as an alternative for the other?
gnugalaxy // Friday, January 4, 2008 at 8:20
@Misha
Let us hope Prior Art stops MS from getting new patents based on techniques that are already in use in Emacs. Anyways, I doubt if the patent will say a word about ‘Emacs’ at all, leave alone giving a hint about the technique’s usage in Emacs. A secrecy of almost two years has to be maintained by the patent office. Add this with the legal language used in the patents, and we can expect ‘prior art’ failing to stop at least one patent being awarded to MS.
Well, I’m just playing my cynical self — being most pessimistic here.
Jay // Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 21:47
that’s one of the most unbelievably paranoid and biased articles i’ve ever read. well done, a new low has been reached.
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