Where the GPL falls down is at the boundary between open-source and closed-source software. Even the simplest programs rely on system libraries to run, and if those libraries were under the GPL, any software using them would have to be as well.

Everyone knows patent trolls are constantly hard at work, thanks to the potentially deep and tasty pockets of companies like Red Hat, which has continued to prove not only the success of the open source development model, but that you can build a stellar business based on that model.

I understand, fully, the issue. Which “standards” are the best? Do you go with what Fedora is doing or Ubuntu? What about Mandriva or SuSE? I have an idea.

Microsoft's Doug Mahugh wants to 'extend' OpenDocument format (ODF) the Microsoft way, reveals public posting

I've written numerous times about the importance of writing to governments about their hare-brained schemes, but this one is rather different. In this case, it's the normally sane Internet Engineering Task Force that wants to do something really daft.

Several months ago, a small company called Psystar began selling computers pre-installed with OS X, which violates Apple's license agreement. After some time, Apple sued Psystar and Psystar counter-sued Apple. Psystar’s counter-suit was thrown out, but, recently, they have been granted the chance to revise their arguments...

An overview of patent law and new developments around the world .

In December, General Patent Corp. announced it was working on behalf of Worlds.com to enforce its patents on "Scalable Virtual World Chat Client-Server System" and "System and Method for Enabling Users to Interact in a Virtual Space," which date back to 1995.