Microsoft files patent lawsuit against TomTom over Linux-based GPS systems

Microsoft has long maintained that Linux infringes at least 235 of its patents, and it looks like it's reaching deep into the bin for some extra ammo in a new case filed against TomTom over nav systems -- of the eight alleged patent infringements in the complaint, five are specifically about portable navigation devices , while the remaining three cover what look to be filesystem-management techniques inherent to the Linux kernel itself. It seems like the Linux issue is less important to Redmond than the GPS patents -- deputy general counsel Horacio Gutierrez says there aren't any broader plans to go after Linux vendors and that it "respects and appreciates" open source -- but if Microsoft scores a victory here, it'll have an incredible advantage should it decide to take on any other Linux-based products. We'll be following this one very closely, we'll keep you in the loop.