You'd think those who like free software would want to encourage a company that's giving away free hardware. It's clear that the Linux users are right when they say Digital Convergence is stretching far beyond any established law with its intellectual property claims. And they are right to feel that a very fundamental principle for them is at stake if hardware vendors can sic lawyers on anyone writing the wrong type of software for their devices. The problem here is how this case is being resolved. Important public policies are at stake, but no one will get his or her day in court.
Lawyers writing intimidating letters is nothing new.
But new intellectual property laws are giving well-financed companies a hammer they never had before. Ed Foster is a contributing editor at InfoWorld.