Supporters of free software solutions have thrown down the gauntlet at Microsoft's feet. Christian Einfeldt of Digital Tipping Point says 'Sue Me First,' and he's not alone. More and more people are signing up and challenging Microsoft to put their lawyers where their mouth is. The free software community is far from running scared.

Microsoft does not believe there is an inherent contradiction between its recent statements that free and open-source software infringes on 235 of its patents, and the veiled legal threats that go along with that, and its attempts to reach out and build bridges with the open-source community.

The Free Software Foundation (FSF) today released the fourth and “last call” draft for version 3 of the GNU General Public License (GNU GPL), the world's most widely used free software license. The Foundation will hear comments on the latest draft for 29 days, and expects to officially publish the license on Friday, June 29, 2007.

"Well what do you know? Microsoft seems to be gaining ground with their "patent protection" scheme. But what if they discover they've only bought a few bricks of fool's gold?"

"I have the impression that open source to challenge it in a justice court is exactly what Microsoft desires, so we should not get into this dangerous and expensive game. Therefore, I propose another game, in which the open source is strong where Microsoft is weak."

One of the motions argued on May 31st, is fascinatingly blunt. "After three years of litigation, SCO seeks more than $100 million in 'special damages' based on nothing but some hearsay accounts of what mostly unidentified third parties supposedly said about unspecified potential licenses." Oof.

"Here, thanks to Steve Martin, is the June 4th summary judgment hearing transcript in SCO v. Novell. This was the hearing on the dueling slander of title claims. So each side gets to reply to the other, so that is why it's not the usual three-part arrangement."