Can you say ... "backfire" ?

Over at Digital Tipping Point we see something quite interesting. The blog author has set up a list for people to sign up to be sued by Microsoft for patent infringement. Now you might think I mean “backfire” as in these people are nuts. This is not what I mean.

What I mean is that the patent threats have managed to open up a whole new front, one that has surprised me, as I did not think of it. As I said previously, the only strategy that can enable any sort of escape from a quagmire for Microsoft appears to be to back away from this fight. Suing customers (current or prospective) is never a good idea. By backfire, I meant that their attempt to FUD now appears to have had some effect. I am betting it is not the one they were hoping for.