Following the intellectual property legal dispute between TomTom and Microsoft, the Linux Foundation, through the voice of Jim Zemlin, its executive director, opined that alternatives, even open-source equivalents to the Redmond company's FAT, enabled developers to renounce of using the proprietary file management system altogether. At the end of March 2009, the software giant announced that it settled its patent infringement lawsuits with TomTom, and that it would receive compensation from the Netherlands-based manufacturer of auto navigation devices. Per the agreement, TomTom indicated that it would remove from its products all functionality that is currently infringing on Microsoft's “FAT LFN patents.”
“As acknowledged by Microsoft, this file system is easily replaced with multiple technology alternatives. The Linux Foundation is here to assist interested parties in the technical coordination of removing the FAT filesystem from products that make use of it today,” Zemlin added. “There is one other fact clear from this case. Microsoft does not appear to be a leopard capable of changing its spots. Maybe it’s time developers go on a diet from Microsoft and get the FAT out of their products.”
Still, while alternatives do indeed exist, a move away from FAT is not technically feasible, especially for developers that want to ensure compatibility with the Windows operating system. Even if Windows itself has evolved past File Allocation Table, the file system continues to enjoy ubiquitous support, especially when it comes down to USB technology. In this regard, even the open-source Linux operating system supports FAT in order to have removable media play nice with the operating system.
“In the last several days Microsoft has shown that despite claims of acquiring a newly found respect for open principles and technology, developers should be cautious in believing promises made by this “new” Microsoft. When it counts, it appears that Microsoft still actively seeks to undermine those technologies or standards that are truly open, especially when those technologies pose a significant threat to their business,” Zemlin said.