[xorblurb]

HN turns rabid, rightfully so. Even with so-called good motives, which are not even proven. And to be clear, in no way there can be a good motive here: their pledge is limited to Free and Open Source Software, its not even sure this pledge is binding, and EVEN if they really do limit their use of this patent (would have it been misattributed to Google by error), I don't think they would EVER pay the real inventor the value they gain from obtain from having it in their stockpile, even less if they do want to use it after another giant attack them.

[jhall1468]

Their history dictates their motives, and having never offensively used a patent as of the moment they clearly have good motives.

You are attacking the player, not the game. Software patents shouldn't exist. But in reality they do, and as of this moment I would much rather Google own the patent than a troll.

[xorblurb]

I will never ever buy the "we are forced to do evil things for the greater good" argument.

Especially behind real inventors' back.

You can't just dictate your own distorted ethical vision just because you are too big.

Edit: plus I don't even give a shit if they limit their use of this patent to defend themselves against competitor claims. Clearly even in this limited case this patent still would have (a very good) value, so at least propose the REAL inventor to patent it and sell ultra limited right for that purpose for a few millions. Then this would be kind of ethical.