Bangalore: While many people take the slogan “Saying no to software patents” to mean the right to usage of free Internet software, the issue of patenting is rooted in a larger milieu, affecting not only users of software, but also those who develop software and service it.

The trolling in the US continues, Microsoft's partners in India want software patents, Europe softens too.

Microsoft sued in China; some blasts from the past; By lobbying for software patents, Microsoft hopes to harm everyone (but Free software more so)

Free software supporters in India fight against another attempt to legalise software patents

A defender of (sometimes lobbyist for) software patents gets itself in trouble after Microsoft settles; company that sues

In both Europe and in India, Microsoft is trying to exclude Free software with patent tax inside basic interoperability information

One of the enduring soap operas this year has involved the ongoing patent infringement threats by Microsoft against “Linux, OpenOffice, email, and other open source software.” According to Microsoft, 235 of its (unnamed) patents are being infringed, and it should be entitled to be paid for this use of its intellectual property.

Summary of the latest developments and analyses involving software patents

Head of Microsoft New Zealand steps down, New Zealand permits software patenting only with the "device" trick, and Ben Sturmfels is working to marginalise software patents also in Australia