This is silly... (Score 1)

Any of the 'big names' listed would be silly to put their names behind this. Microsoft could easily respond and point out dozens of their patents that both GNU programs and the Linux kernel are in violation of. It would be impossible to remove the code or work around the patents because some of the patents would be broad, fundamental, and obvious. Rather, force Microsoft to sue if they want to do anything about it, and then watch the fire works as other big players get involved. Microsoft violates other's patents just as much, if not more. Take this patent for instant messaging, held by AOL for instance: http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPAT6539421&id= DiUPAAAAEBAJ&dq=%22instant+messaging%22