The Internet was buzzing yesterday with news (apparently originated at Groklaw that had people in the know quivering with anxious anticipation: Microsoft had patented sudo, so could the end of the world be far behind? The real story, however, is far less salacious.

In the past, Microsoft used to be untouchable. Today, things seem to be shifting drastically. Microsoft still has a monopoly on the desktop computer market but it is being threatened from numerous sides.

US states want Microsoft supervision extended; Russian authorities view Microsoft as a monopoly

The following snippets from a news article contain propaganda terms such as “piracy” and “IPR”. The article also comes from a publication that typically published pro-Microsoft agenda. The intention here is to show you just how Microsoft overrides local laws and pushes software patents onto those who must not accept them.

News about Microsoft's latest legal setbacks. Japan trade commission rules against Microsoft

China has begun an anti-monopoly investigation into US giant Microsoft and several other global software firms, the country's intellectual property watchdog said Wednesday.

Microsoft was awarded more than 1,600 patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in 2007, placing it sixth on the list of biggest patent performers, according to IFI Patent Intelligence, which tracks patent awards. IBM, which tried but failed to patent outsourcing last year, won the patent count for the 16th straight year, with more than 3,100 patents.

Microsoft’s agreements with Linux vendors also happen to dispel “patent risk,” which to my mind is as illusory as ghosts given that the odds of Microsoft ever filing patents suits against Linux are virtually nil (huge risks down that path, given that patents can bite Microsoft as much as Linux…probably more so).

Microsoft's patent push has been stimulated by a number of factors including competition and trying to make sure Microsoft's rivals don't get access to key innovations.