GearBits

Microsoft Strikes Again

According to the latest article in the Register, Microsoft is planning to charge for its FAT file system. The FAT file system is widely used in most digital cameras, video camcorders, and PDA's. So, the memory card manufacturers need to license the FAT file system in order to produce their cards. So, mostly likely they will pass the additional cost to, guess who, us the consumers, and we have to pay MS our hard-earned cash. I understand that patent holders need to be compensated for their innovation, but why do I feel queasy in my stomach? Perhpas that's because it's another Microsoft's attempt to dominate the computing industry or simply to pad their chest? You tell me.

If you want to read more about this, check out the Microsoft web page on the FAT file system license, and here is the pricing structure they propose:

Microsoft offers a commercially reasonable, nonexclusive license so that other companies can use the FAT file system in their own products. Currently, Microsoft offers two specific types of licenses:

A license for removable solid state media manufacturers to preformat the media, such as compact flash memory cards, to the Microsoft FAT file system format, and to preload data onto such preformatted media using the Microsoft FAT file system format. Pricing for this license is US$0.25 per unit with a cap on total royalties of $250,000 per manufacturer.
A license for manufacturers of certain consumer electronics devices. Pricing for this license is US$0.25 per unit for each of the following types of devices that use removable solid state media to store data: portable digital still cameras; portable digital video cameras; portable digital still/video cameras; portable digital audio players; portable digital video players; portable digital audio/video players; multifunction printers; electronic photo frames; electronic musical instruments; and standard televisions. Pricing for this license is US$0.25 per unit with a cap on total royalties of $250,000 per licensee. Pricing for other device types can be negotiated with Microsoft.