This news is unbelievable and quite confusing….  It appears that Microsoft would like everyone in the world to pay them a toll at least, even if they don’t want to use Microsoft’s software. It has just patented sudo, well its a personalized version of it. Apparently you can patent any command provided it is a “personalized version” with a GUI.

Have a look patent number 7617530.

I think USPTO(United States Patent and Trademark Office) didn’t realize it that Sudo is an integral part of the functioning of GNU/Linux systems, and you use it in Mac OSX also. Lets see if US Supreme Court addresses this topic in their decision on Bilski case.

Detailed story at Groklaw.