Microsoft filed suit against TomTom today, alleging that the in-car navigation company"s devices violate eight of its patents -- including three that relate to TomTom"s implementation of the Linux kernel.
It"s believed to be the first time Microsoft has filed a patent suit over Linux, after claiming for years that elements of the open-source operating system violate its patents. However, Microsoft says open-source software is not the intended focal point of the action. Five of the alleged patent violations relate to proprietary software.
Microsoft says it filed the case as a last resort, after trying for more than a year to reach an agreement with TomTom. We"ve requested comment from TomTom, and we"ll update this post with the company"s response."