The recent VFAT Linux patch is another great example of how Microsoft is short sighted and stubborn and Linux is the OS of innovation and problem solving.
The most ironic part about Microsoft's patent claims is that they are seeking to protect a hack from 14 years ago. Microsoft sued TomTom to prevent them from using code that allows long filenames to be accessible in the 8.3 filename format. For example, DOS will read "c:\documents and settings\usernameA" as "c:\docume~1\userna~1" and so will be able to access the files.
The hack was created for Windows 3.1 to be compatible with Windows 95. I suppose Microsoft is the king of compatibility and wouldn't want others to steal their hacks.
