
Some more reactions to the
Novell-Microsoft deal. Firstly, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said his company is open to
talking to other Linux distributors about reaching mutual patent coverage deals similar to the agreement signed Nov. 2 with Novell. Secondly,
according to Red Hat, this deal means that 'Linux has won', while also saying they would never make such an agreement with Microsoft:
"An innovation tax is unthinkable. Free and open source software provide the necessary environment for true innovation. Innovation without fear or threat. Activities that isolate communities or limit upstream adoption will inevitably stifle innovation." More reactions
here and
here.
Update: Another response from Red Hat. In one year's time, a Red Hat general counsil said, Red Hat will be the only Linux commercial vendor left standing, Microsoft support or not.
Member since:
2005-07-12
..since now only Novell's SUSE Linux customers are the only Linux vendors that have any assurance that Microsoft won't sue for patent infringement.
What patent infringements? Mono? Mono doesn't violate patents, its just an implementation of a standard. Wine doesn't come preinstalled on any distro that i know of, and even if it did i don't think it violates any patents. If it did, Microsoft would have taken action against it by now. Same applies to the win32codecs.
So what's left for Microsoft to bitch about regarding software patents?