The U.S. Copyright Office has officially rejected two copyright applications from Microsoft concerning the FAT file system format. However, Microsoft has stated that it has not abandoned its efforts to protect its widely used data storage method.
In fact, the Copyright Office made its decision on Microsoft’s two applications last month but only announced it this week. One of the rulings, considered the final decision, is still regarded as unofficial. Microsoft retains the right to appeal or escalate the matter to a higher court.
The U.S. Copyright Office officially dismissed Microsoft’s application after the Copyright Alliance conducted an investigation into the matter. According to the alliance, Microsoft’s claim of copyright over the FAT format is unreasonable as another entity had already researched and applied this format before Microsoft filed its application. Previously, this office had also once rejected a copyright application from Microsoft.
Although originally developed exclusively for the Windows operating system, the FAT format has gradually become a popular storage method across all computers, as well as on flash drives, digital cameras, and open-source software like Samba, which enables data exchange between Linux or Unix and Windows, and even on Linux itself.
Whether Microsoft will sue Linux regarding copyright issues related to the FAT format remains a concern, especially since Microsoft has previously claimed that Linux has unlawfully utilized its technology. If a lawsuit were to result in fines, it is likely that Linux would no longer be able to be distributed for free under the GPL (General Public License), which stipulates that “any application software containing patented technology or inventions cannot be provided for free.”
In December 2003, Microsoft announced plans to seek copyright for the FAT storage format as part of a campaign to promote the use of proprietary technology. During the same period, flash memory manufacturer Lexar Media also sought copyright for FAT technology.