OS Question

[linthat22]

If someone wanted to create an OS that was compatible with a lot of Windows, Linux, Mac OS, and Be OS (I know I forgot a lot of others) files would that be patent infringement?

When I say files, I mean like ActiveX, the whole Direct (place name here), etc...

Just wondering what kind of stink that would make.

 

[Frank]

WineX.

Although Microsoft is working hard to kill all those things.

 

[Varg Vikernes]

It would probably mean walking on thin ice.

There's an OS (ReactOS) trying to reimplement the Win32 API into their own kernel. Microsoft deosn't own the file formats (except for some propreitary like .doc) but they have several patents over their API's. Mono is another example of porting the Microsoft .NET API to other systems. So far Microsoft hasn't acted or said anything explicit except "we don't support it".
Then there's also MacDX, a DX wrapper for MacOS X.

I'm not a law person, but I know MS owns quite a few patents on their technologies, but I've never heard if they ever sued anyone over emulating etc.

 

[Frank]

Since the EU forced Microsoft to make their server protocols public, they require everyone using them to pay licensing fees.