CNET News.com: Microsoft's file system patent upheld CNET News.com: Microsoft's file system patent upheld

Microsoft has won in its reexamination of its File Allocation Table (FAT) patents. They had been contested by the Public Patent Foundation in April 2004 as lacking novelty. One problem that this raises is with Linux that utilizes this technology, esp. in view of its GPL licensing which forbids distribution if it contains patented technology requiring a license. Given MSFT's fear of Linux, this may be significant.