New Flash card charges

[adder70]

From dpreview.com:

Microsoft will soon be charging manufacturers of flash memory card devices and those which use them $0.25 per unit or up to $250,000 to use the FAT filesystem. For those who are unaware the FAT file system was developed by Microsoft back in 1976 and has become the standard file system for all digital still cameras. Microsoft owns patents to the FAT File System but for many years hasn't even hinted that it may one day decide to charge for it. These new licenses appear to come into effect immediately and specifically make mention of 'compact flash memory cards' and 'portable digital still cameras'. What a great way for Microsoft to cash in on the most popular consumer products (as if they don't make enough money already). (14:10 GMT)

This is why we all better hope competition for Iexplorer remains viable. As soon as they think they can giet away with it, MS will start charging for that too!

Who knows if SmartMedia cards use FAT? I have compact flash stuff, but I will ebay my flash cards, drive, and my Nikon Coolpix 990 if there is a viable non-FAT alternative. I will then email the appropriate records to MS and Nikon along with a request to Nikon to avoid all reasonably avoidable MS technology in the future. I think I am about to write my congresspeople as well. This is waht happens. Give it away for free to create a monopoly and then screw everyone when you have eliminated the competition.