Published at LXer:

Microsoft filed suit against TomTom today, alleging that the in-car navigation company's devices violate eight of its patents -- including three that relate to TomTom's implementation of the Linux kernel. It's believed to be the first time Microsoft has filed a patent suit over Linux, after claiming for years that elements of the open-source operating system violate its patents. However, Microsoft says open-source software is not the intended focal point of the action. Five of the alleged patent violations relate to proprietary software.

[Maybe we will finally get to see some of those 200 patents Microsoft keeps talking about. - Scott]

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Not an anti-Linux case by the looks of it. It's collateral damage - they are going up against an implementation (some of the infringing code is proprietary) and it so happens that Tom Tom uses Linux. Any attempt to turn this case into an MS v Linux one will no doubt get shot down by the judge.

Funny how these things are put in motion at the same time Microsoft is projecting a poor financial outlook. Guess they figured going to court would help their bottom line, or at least slow down the competition.