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.
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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?
Member since:2005-12-31
>>What patent infringements? <<
The infringments don't have to legitimate.
Look at the scox-scam, It has cost IBM about $100 million so far, and given msft nearly four years of linux fud. And scox's lawsuit is based on what exactly? Four years and not one shread of evidence so far. Scox has not even specified why they are suing.
Msft is a $300+ billion company, they have $30+ billion in cash. Once msft files a lawsuit against you: you have already lost. Legal expenses can put you right out of business.
Member since:
2005-07-06
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.
Translation:
"Steve Ballmer says that Microsoft is open to talking to other Linux distributions to allow them to stay in business, or in existance."
Be in no doubt that that is the attitude Microsoft has in this kind of relationship.
...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 a wonderful piece of competitive advantage Novell now have. Really worth paying for that!
Ron Hovsepian really is the clueless, witless idiot CEO who has no clue whatsoever what just happened, as this guy rightly says on Mary Jo Foley's column:
http://talkback.zdnet.com/5208-12558-0.html?forumID=1&threadID=2699...
Hovsepian and Novell probably think that indemnification and patent protection are going to be the biggest sellers in the Linux market, because heaven knows, they've got nothing else. Small wonder Red Hat is having a good chuckle at their expense:
http://www.redhat.com/truthhappens/