Re:If you distribute, why wouldn't you be liable? (Score 1)

You are confusing copyright and patents, a patent on a mechanical device carries no stipulation that only manufacturers or distributors are liable. It is the device itself that is patented, using the device without a patent license (usually sublicensed) is infringement. Microsoft are cutting of their nose to spite their face with this one, they indemnify customers upto the retail value of their software and that is one huge jackpot.