Here we go again.

Firstly, Apple didn't invent IP ownership, pioneer it or is the leader of it by any stretch. That award most likely goes to IBM.

Secondly, it is a myth that Microsoft's 'investment' in Apple is what it kept it alive. That money was in effect a settlement with Apple to drop the UI lawsuits. What kept Apple alive was the iMac.

So they get a free pass because they're just exploiting a broken system?

Not to mention that there are plenty of tech giants out there who have not been whalin' on every competitor that moves with their tech patents.

Some companies seem to be staying true to the "defensive only" patent policy, Apple is one of the few that are weaponizing theirs to large degree.

Apple presently has the most to lose due to the size of their bank account. I think when they were forced to settle with Nokia they realized you must play the game to win. The companies that have decided not to play to win are being naive in my opinion.

To play to win? What? Whats there to win?

If Apple ever ends up in a situation where iOS is the only mobile smartphone OS left, USDOJ antitrust will probably obliterate them. No more facebook integration, no more app store, no more curtailing customer choice, and all of the other shenanigans Apple does under the curtain of "freedom of choice".

I'm pretty sure I remember reading in the Steve Jobs Biography that Steve admitted Apple wouldn't survive without Microsofts investment. At the same time, Bill seemed to agree that Microsoft would have been in quite some trouble if the UI lawsuits went through. So while the investment was indeed a settlement of sorts, Apple may not have survived to tell the tale without Microsoft's cash infusion.

Apple still had billions in cash when it accepted Microsoft's purchase of non-voting shares.

Microsoft's pledge to continue making Office and IE for Mac was way more significant, as Apple's share price had been going rapidly at the time. Microsoft showing faith in the platform put a temporary hold on that.

That gave Jobs the time he needed for rigorous reorganization. Gil Amelio had already fired thousands of employees. However, Jobs replaced the entire board of directors, most of the VPs and other high up execs. He discontinued most products, including the Newton MessagePad and eMate. He terminated the deals his predecessors made with Mac clone makers. And then he worked hard with the very best of the best within the company to create one or two new products a year, slowly building a strong lineup of profitable products.

$150 million is nothing for a company that was looking at billion dollar losses.

Losses that involve writing down inventory, goodwill, and accounts receivable don't stop you from settling paychecks each month.

It's weird that people keep refuting the importance of Microsoft's investment when the actual Apple people involved herald it as critical.