Microsoft Corp., bowing to pressure from European regulators, will take steps to make top-selling software including Windows and Office work better with competing products and limit lawsuits against some rivals.

One of the enduring soap operas this year has involved the ongoing patent infringement threats by Microsoft against “Linux, OpenOffice, email, and other open source software.” According to Microsoft, 235 of its (unnamed) patents are being infringed, and it should be entitled to be paid for this use of its intellectual property.

Microsoft’s agreements with Linux vendors also happen to dispel “patent risk,” which to my mind is as illusory as ghosts given that the odds of Microsoft ever filing patents suits against Linux are virtually nil (huge risks down that path, given that patents can bite Microsoft as much as Linux…probably more so).

Microsoft is attacking Linux using software patents (with US DOJ approval) while a Microsoft reporter spins the whole situation as "peaceful coexistence"

For some time, we have not heard anything about the patent sellout which Novell inked with Microsoft 11 months ago. Microsoft has since used the deal as the basis for spreading FUD about Linux, with claims that the free operating system could be in violation of as many as 235 patents which Microsoft claims to own.

Lots of news about patents, including the problems in Europe and Microsoft's patent troll of choice.

Thursday, June 07, 2007: Microsoft Corp. and LG Electronics have entered into a patent cross-licence agreement to further the development of the companies ’ current and future product lines. Through the agreement, LGE will be able to use Microsoft-patented innovations in its products, including Linux-based embedded devices.

According to a report published online by the Wall Street Journal, the Open Invention Network (OIN) has announced plans to purchase 22 former Microsoft patents.

Microsoft and Brother Industries have entered into a broad patent cross-licensing agreement that enables access to each company's respective patent portfolio, including Brother's embedded Linux printing products. Aimed at boosting R&D efforts, the agreement includes compensation paid to Microsoft by Brother, say the companies.