Immortal computing

Microsoft just applied for a patent for "immortal computing," a scheme to make information understandable in perpetuity. An interesting idea, but is this really a good business strategy? I mean, patents expire after 20 years. Can you really build planned obsolescence into something that is "immortal"?

On another note, is the idea of immortal computing really a good thing? Weren't we saved from the Cylon attack by the fact that their modern computer brains couldn't interface with Galactica's outmoded technology?