Patent troll launches desktop Linux lawsuit. Is Microsoft involved?

Sometimes you just have to sing. I read Groklaw's report on a new lawsuit launched by IP Innovation (subsidiary of Acacia) against Novell and Red Hat over Linux desktop infringements of its "a User Interface with Multiple Workspaces for Sharing Display System Objects" patent and just wanted to break out into Stephen Sondheim:

Isn't it rich?
Isn't it queer?
Losing my timing this late
In my career?
And where are the clowns?
Quick, send in the clowns.
Don't bother - they're here.

Why clowns? Well, the more Groklaw digs into this, the more it looks like the ultimate patent troll/clown, Microsoft, may be behind this all. Some might say that Ballmer always sings on cue, and surely his commentary about Red Hat last week may be coincidence or simply poor timing, but Monsieur le Troll must be smiling, regardless.

Groklaw writes:

IP Innovation LLC has just filed a patent infringement claim against Red Hat and Novell. It was filed October 9, case no. 2:2007cv00447, IP Innovation, LLC et al v. Red Hat Inc. et al, in Texas. Where else? The patent troll magnet state.

The first ever patent infringement litigation involving Linux. Here's the patent, for those who can look at it without risk. If in doubt, don't. Here's the complaint [PDF].

And now let's play, where's Microsoft? You know, like where's Waldo? Betcha he's in the tree's leaves somewhere if we look close enough. We had our first hint when Steve Ballmer said in his speech the other day that he figured other folks besides Microsoft would want Red Hat and FOSS to pay them for their patents. Remember? Is he a prophet or merely well informed? Or is there more to this? When I lay out all the research, you can decide.

But for Microsoft's bad timing in the past with SCO, I'd be inclined to downplay possible involvement here. But Ballmer can't seem to stop humming this tune, no matter how off his harmonizing. As Groklaw points out, Acacia (the parent company) has hired two Microsoft henchmen in the last six months, one a patent troll (hired on October 1). It's filled to the brim with patent clowns. (Ironic how Microsoft mints these people.)

Apple apparently paid these IP Innovation clowns to go away earlier this year. (You may remember that the new Leopard has a cool feature for multiple desktops.) The open-source community shouldn't. There's virtually no money at stake - neither Red Hat nor Novell makes much money from their respective Linux desktops. Hence, it's a matter of principle. Principles matter and will cost far more in the future.

I think it's time to test out the Open Invention Network and let IP Innovation get a feel for what it's like to sue a community. I can't see Oracle having much of an appetite for involvement, given its lack of desktop business, but IBM and others may well see the need to get involved in this otherwise pointless litigation about old technology (Xerox Parc innovation) and new scores to settle (Microsoft versus the world).

[vexorian]

The suspicious part.

The most interesting part of this is that they have only sued Linux vendors, this feature is going to be an integral part of Leopard and MS has also been including it in a power toy.

[tristanbob]

How about the Novell/Microsoft deal?

If Microsoft is behind this (I am doubtful) then wouldn't that be like back-stabbing your spouse (Novell) during the honeymoon?

"So I Married an Axe Murderer"
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108174/

[Matt Asay]

I'm not yet sure on Novell/Microsoft

I think Novell's recent change (as in, within minutes of the announcement, right before it dropped) in its IP indemnification program might have something to do with all this....