They're definitely pursuing patents...

> The authors of the paper have filed several patents relating to the subject matter contained in this paper in the name of Microsoft Corporation.

Page 12 of the paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-10042-w.pdf

It's whether Microsoft will be fair and flexible licensing their patents to third-parties.

Otherwise I'd suggest that if they keep it all to themselves and charge like a wounded bull, uptake would be quite limited.

At least until the original patents expires, which might be the better strategic move for third-parties in light of a hostile Microsoft given how long this archival format is expected to last.

20 year patent lifespan seems like nothing to the overall lifespan of this invention though.

Or, next year I can buy ten for five dollars off AliExpress.