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Thread ID: 55634 2005-03-15 10:54:00 Microsoft Attempts to Patent XML Processing in New Zealand vinref (6194) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
334422 2005-03-16 21:09:00 Agent, the point is, XML is supposed to be a method of achieving interoperability based on agreed common standards. Introduce proprietary code which do not adhere to the standards and the standard gets broken. This is not the first time MS has done this to lock users into their products and lock other vendors out. OOo uses XML file format to achieve interoperability, you can bet your last dollar that MS's implementation will not work with it or others, there will be more from MS BTW.

Why would they need a patent, if not to collect royalties from 3rd parties or prohibit use by other parties. Copyright is sufficient to protect the product itself.

They should not be allowed to patent a method (methods should not be patentable anyway) using the words XML, it's not theirs to use in that way, it is trademarked by MIT on behalf of W3C. (http://www.w3.org/)
Murray P (44)
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