Originally posted by Wertigon
…I hope Microsoft wins this!
Wert, I COULD stick that in my sig. But I won’t. 
Originally posted by Nulani
And Microsoft can’t use the same solutions as Netscape, Mozilla, or Opera?
They already do. Plug-ins and applets are everywhere.
From a related article:
“This is not an issue just for IE,” said Wallent. “This is a potential issue for Netscape Navigator, for Opera and for other browser vendors. This is an industry issue.”
Mozilla, as well.
Originally posted by Nulani:
Before this verdict Microsoft planned to let development on Internet Explorer to idle untill the release of Windows Longhorn. It is in the best interest of those who use Internet Explorer that, that happens, moreso than it is for those who don’t use Internet Explorer.
In the sense that we’ll gain whatever unrelated features Microsoft had planned sooner. We’ll lose plug-ins and applets; what benefits can we expect, sleeker menus? No, I’m sure there will be improvements, but probably not enough to make it a fair trade.
Keep in mind that, even if you don’t use IE, you’ll lose exactly as much as us who do. Internet Explorer’s going to lose plug-ins and applets, or at least their current incarnations. So will Netscape, unless it wants to lose $521 million too. Now, if IE and Netscape can’t use plug-ins and applets, web sites will stop using them. Mozilla and Opera may not have to worry about being sued - they don’t have enough money to interest Eolas - but even if they retain their functionality, it won’t matter. There won’t be plug-ins and applets left for them to display.
Originally posted by Nulani:
As for the rest. It is unfortunately his patent, and he has every right to enforce that patent. That is how software patents work.
It unfortunately is. Maybe this will drive in the point that patent laws shouldn’t cover the minutia of software.
Xwing1056
And there is evidence that they use the same plugins?
Even in the worst case scenarioes, the most likely outcome is that someone make new plugins that outputs the same functions. Or have I misunderstood the entire thing, as usual?
Not only is it unlikely that Eolas sues Opera Software, but Opera Software’s base is located outside the patents area of function. Unless American software patents have started to function in Norway too.
Originally posted by Nulani
[b]And there is evidence that they use the same plugins?Even in the worst case scenarioes, the most likely outcome is that someone make new plugins that outputs the same functions. Or have I misunderstood the entire thing, as usual?[/b]
The technology of plug-ins is patented, not the particular plug-ins that Internet Explorer uses. It’s outrageous because everyone uses plug-ins now. This is the equivalent of patenting scroll bars, or mouse arrows, or Back buttons.
Not only is it unlikely that Eolas sues Opera Software, but Opera Software’s base is located outside the patents area of function. Unless American software patents have started to function in Norway too.
Agreed then, they won’t be sued. Even if you live in Norway and use Opera, though, you’ll suffer most of the consequences that we do. Few web page designers will say, “Who cares whether Internet Explorer and Netscape users, and all those Americans, can use plug-ins?” They’ll redesign their pages without plug-ins so that everyone who doesn’t use Opera can view them.
I’m guessing that Opera will remove plug-in support, not in fear of punishment, but for a couple other reasons:
1: So that it’s legal in the United States. Opera won’t alienate its largest userbase.
2: Because very few web pages will use plug-ins anymore.
If this seems unfair and contrary to the spirit of innovation, that’s because it is. The sad news, for some Europeans who don’t already know, is that you might have your own software patents soon. I believe the European Union will vote on it between the 22nd and the 26th. Good luck.
Xwing1056
Originally posted by Xwing1056
I’m guessing that Opera will remove plug-in support, not in fear of punishment, but for a couple other reasons:
1: So that it’s legal in the United States. Opera won’t alienate its largest userbase.
2: Because very few web pages will use plug-ins anymore.[/b]
Actually, I’m guessing they’ll do something similar to Debian;
“For all ye Opera users who live in the US, here’s the US version. For everyone else, here’s the non-US version.”
That’s possible too.
Xwing1056
They patented an “automated interactive experience”?