Show Us the Code: Right Pew, Wrong Church

Published: Feb 26, 2007
Updated: Feb 2, 2021
2 minute read
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Along the lines of early efforts to derail SCOs claims that Linux infringes Unix copyrights, a gentleman going by the moniker “digduality” has decided to fight recent claims by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer that Linux infringes on Microsoft patents, by launching ShowUsTheCode.com.

As you might guess from its name, the Web sites theme is, “since you, Microsoft, claim to be so sure of yourself: Show Us the Code.”

In the few days since its Feb. 23 launch, the Web site has gained a great deal of attention on such sites as Digg, Linux Today and Slashdot.

Most of the people who have weighed in with comments on the issue have strongly voiced their support. They too want Microsoft to show “the public the code within Linux that violates their intellectual property by May 1st, 2007.”

/zimages/2/28571.gifIs Ballmer set to attack Linux with patents?Click hereto read more.

It sounds like a good idea; but unfortunately, it misses the point.

In Microsofts latest FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) campaign—make no mistake, thats exactly what this is—Ballmer is not claiming that Linux contains any kind of Microsoft copyright violations. That was, at one time, SCOs claim, not Microsofts.

In this assault on Linux, Ballmer is broadly hinting that Linux is infringing on Microsofts enormous patent portfolio. And, when it comes to patents, there is no “code” to be shown.

/zimages/2/28571.gifRead the full story on Linux-Watch: Show Us the Code: Right Pew, Wrong Church

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Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

I'm editor-at-large for Ziff Davis Enterprise. That's a fancy title that means I write about whatever topic strikes my fancy or needs written about across the Ziff Davis Enterprise family of publications. You'll find most of my stories in Linux-Watch, DesktopLinux and eWEEK. Prior to becoming a technology journalist, I worked at NASA and the Department of Defense on numerous major technological projects.

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