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22nd January 2006

FAT FILE SYSTEM PATENT

Brian Grainger


 

Earlier this month, Microsoft made their 3rd attempt to register their patent for the FAT file system. Unfortunately, it was accepted this time!

Back in October 2005, at their last attempt, it failed because the inventor had not been registered properly. Presumably they had got that sorted this time.

This outcome goes to show how stupid the idea of software patents can be. Because of the FAT file system we have had interoperability between differing operating systems and the ability to plug many devices into the PC, get them to work, and transfer information from the device to Windows. If Microsoft were to enforce their patent everyone would have to pay a royalty or invent another system to which file transfer to Windows would be impossible. Many USB memory sticks and digital cameras use the FAT format for storage, so it is not a hypothetical problem.

So far, Microsoft have not said they will enforce the patent. Microsoft no longer use FAT for their own operating systems. However, they must have obtained the patent for a reason. My own personal view is that it is a handy weapon in case Linux gets too popular. Linux, in its native form, runs on its own filing system but, crucially, it uses FAT to transfer files between Windows and Linux. If Linux gets too popular, Microsoft now has a weapon to sever the link between Linux and Windows, making interoperability that bit more difficult and so put off anyone contemplating the switch to Linux.

This decision has been made in the US courts. Software Patents are not available in Europe (yet). Despite the failure to instigate them last year it was recently announced that the issue is being looked at again.

Further information from: http://www.out-law.com/page-6524


 

 

 

 


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