Some of these patents were assigned in the mid-90's. Where has Microsoft been all this time?
Patents should have an "enforce it or lose it" clause. Some of these may have been novel at the time of filing. However, after some time of being unenforced, they become standard practice in an industry. Then after 10 years of standard use some company comes out of nowhere and tries to enforce it? Too late.
Trademarks have the "enforce it or lose it" clause. This causes companies to be forced to go after all non-commercial use of the trademark, causing hassles for the people they are going after, and money for the company. That doesn't necessarily mean that your idea is a bad one, jut that you have to watch out for unintended consequences.
Patents should have an "enforce it or lose it" clause. Some of these may have been novel at the time of filing. However, after some time of being unenforced, they become standard practice in an industry. Then after 10 years of standard use some company comes out of nowhere and tries to enforce it? Too late.