The GNU GPL does not allow you to distribute software (licensed under the
GPL of course) if you can't give it to everyone on the same terms
that you got it. This means if the software is covered by a patent,
even if you're covered for the patent you can't give it to anyone
unless everyone is also covered for it.
True. My mistake.
EU's response is somewhat damning: "The commission would welcome any move towards genuine
interoperability," the commission said. "Nonetheless, the commission
notes that today's announcement follows at least four similar
statements by Microsoft in the past on the importance of
interoperability."