Software patents can only be fixed in the near future if the largest software companies in the world work together. Sadly, some of them profit (immensely) from putting up that huge barrier for smaller companies to compete with them. Case in point, Microsoft has had to pay hundreds of millions in damages to trolls like Eolas, yet stand solidly behind software patents. For the millions they paid Eolas, Steve Ballmer could claim that Linux infringes over 200 patents. Oracle gets to claim $9B for 37 methods in the Android code. Apple gets to sue Samsung over icons, among other things. Basically, this is a cartel. They even have a website: <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;ww2.bsa.org" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;ww2.bsa.org</a><p>These companies thrive on mind share. As is evident with MS shipping Linux subsystems with Windows 10, they have to court developers or their influence will wane. The loss of developer community happened over many years, and it should continue until these companies change their approach. Get projects you have influence over to try open alternatives. Spread the word in forums and meetups. Make their platforms uncool.<p>Being Open Source friendly isn&#x27;t about releasing code under liberal licenses. It is about the commitment to software freedom. Not differentiating these two is ignoring history.