Well it looks like the proverbial *sh!t* is about to hit the fan. Maybe I am overreacting a bit but it appears that the city of Munich, Germany has put its Linux Migration on hold. Surprisingly enough, I don\'t believe Bill Gates has much to do with this one. No, my friend, a far bigger threat to my way of life...*Software Patents*.

This type of thing absolutely disgusts me. Its almost like patenting the phrase, \"Hello, how are you?\" Its just part of everyday normal communication, its a *standard* and how the hell do you patent something like that?

Sure you can copyright something in software, but say id software was granted a patent for the 3D first person shooter type video game. That would mean the makers of any other similar game would be in violation of someone elses patent. Its like Coke suing Pepsi because they both have make cola.

Geeks need to unite on this one and fight this sort of thing to the bitter end.

Anyway, more info can be found here and here.