"Eolas" Patch in next Patch Tuesday? | The Coffeehouse

I've seen conflicting reports that whether this patch (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/912945 ) is going to be shipped as part of an April 11th IE Cumulative update.

Any Microsoft type (Bruce, Dave, or even Stepto - if he's not too busy poking the Apple fanboys with sticks on his blog) comment on this?

Anyone notice any major issues/broken sites with it?

Maurits

I thought it was shipped last Patch Tuesday.

EDIT: Oh I see you're suggesting it will be part of a "critical update", whereas last time it was merely an "optional" update.

Minh

Is this a signal that MS is abandoning ActiveX (eventually)? Why doesn't MS just pay the royalty? IIRC, the Eolas patent also affect non-ActiveX plugins? Does MS have a way around this patent with the upcoming XAML apps? or the WPF/E Hosted apps?

The Supreme Court is considering a couple of patent cases, aren't they? Couldn't MS also ride this case to the top court?

Cairo

I love your avatars, Minh.

PaoloM

Minh wrote:

Is this a signal that MS is abandoning ActiveX (eventually)?

And replacing it with... what extension mechanism?

Minh wrote:
IIRC, the Eolas patent also affect non-ActiveX plugins?

Yes, basically all extension mechanisms, including the ones used by Safari and Firefox.

Minh wrote:
Does MS have a way around this patent with the upcoming XAML apps? or the WPF/E Hosted apps?

Not sure, unless they embed the runtimes directly in the browser...

Minh wrote:
The Supreme Court is considering a couple of patent cases, aren't they? Couldn't MS also ride this case to the top court?

I think they're doing just that Smiley

Cairo

PaoloM wrote:

Minh wrote: The Supreme Court is considering a couple of patent cases, aren't they? Couldn't MS also ride this case to the top court?

I think they're doing just that

At the same time they'll be suing "Linux" for patent infringement?

Minh

Cairo wrote:

I love your avatars, Minh.

Thanks. I'm just embarassed about my short hair. It used to go past my shoulders. Oh well. Damn job interview.

PaoloM wrote:
Minh wrote:Is this a signal that MS is abandoning ActiveX (eventually)?

And replacing it with... what extension mechanism?

It seems the patent involves running an "application" inside a BROWSER. No browser, no patent infringement. Maybe MS is preparing for a world outside the browser.

PaoloM

Cairo wrote:

PaoloM wrote:

Minh wrote: The Supreme Court is considering a couple of patent cases, aren't they? Couldn't MS also ride this case to the top court?

I think they're doing just that

At the same time they'll be suing "Linux" for patent infringement?

?

Cairo

PaoloM wrote:

?

http://www.techworld.com/opsys/news/index.cfm?newsid=5655&inkc=0

Matthew Broersma, Techworld wrote:

27 March 2006

Microsoft CEO takes aim at open-source vendors over patents

By Matthew Broersma, Techworld

Does Microsoft have a plan to sue Linux vendors for patent infringement?

Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer appeared to suggest as much in an interview with Forbes last week, saying just enough to fuel speculation, without really giving anything away - the famous strategy of sowing fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD).

"Well, I think there are experts who claim Linux violates our intellectual property," Ballmer told Forbes' Daniel Lyons. "I'm not going to comment. But to the degree that that's the case, of course we owe it to our shareholders to have a strategy. And when there is something interesting to say, you'll be the first to hear it."

JohnAskew

Minh wrote:

Cairo wrote:
I love your avatars, Minh.

Thanks. I'm just embarassed about my short hair. It used to go past my shoulders. Oh well. Damn job interview.

PaoloM wrote:

Minh wrote: Is this a signal that MS is abandoning ActiveX (eventually)?

And replacing it with... what extension mechanism?

It seems the patent involves running an "application" inside a BROWSER. No browser, no patent infringement. Maybe MS is preparing for a world outside the browser.

Smart Client apps that aggregate content from the internet? Nah. That's too easy.

rjdohnert

If I was Ballmer I'd approach this with caution. The Open Source community coulod use this to play the victim game again like they have been doing with the SCO case.

Cairo wrote:

PaoloM wrote:
?

http://www.techworld.com/opsys/news/index.cfm?newsid=5655&inkc=0

Matthew Broersma, Techworld wrote:

27 March 2006
Microsoft CEO takes aim at open-source vendors over patents
By Matthew Broersma, Techworld

Does Microsoft have a plan to sue Linux vendors for patent infringement?

Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer appeared to suggest as much in an interview with Forbes last week, saying just enough to fuel speculation, without really giving anything away - the famous strategy of sowing fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD).

"Well, I think there are experts who claim Linux violates our intellectual property," Ballmer told Forbes' Daniel Lyons. "I'm not going to comment. But to the degree that that's the case, of course we owe it to our shareholders to have a strategy. And when there is something interesting to say, you'll be the first to hear it."

Maurits

Maurits wrote:

Oh I see you're suggesting it will be part of a "critical update"