I don't normally write too many serious things on here, but this is one that I think might become a huge issue in the future.  Microsoft is apparently trying to patent the FAT filesystem.  That might not mean a whole lot to the non-computer folks that read this, but that should be a huge deal to the rest of us.  This is along the lines of someone patenting paper.  The FAT filesystem has been around as long as Microsoft DOS has.  The first IBM PC was released in 1981 and DOS was around then.  FAT pretty much defines how files are stored on floppy discs, zip disks, hard disks (until recently), and most importantly flash memory. 

I'm not sure what Microsoft plans on doing with this patent once it is approved, but if they decide to enforce it, it could be huge.  Just thinking about stuff I have in my house that uses the FAT filesystem...  MP3 player, digital camera, camera phone, computers, etc.  I think the kicker for me is that my TV will take a flash card and display the pictures on it.  If Microsoft decides to start charging royalties for this patent, someone might have to pay a little bit more for their TV just because it can read the FAT filesystem.  I seriously doubt there is a way to enforce this retroactively, but this could be huge in the future.