Linked by Thom Holwerda on Tue 7th Aug 2007 17:43 UTC, submitted by JK
Microsoft has succeeded in fracturing the Linux and open-source community with the patent indemnity agreements it has entered into with several prominent vendors, Ubuntu leader and Canonical CEO Mark Shuttleworth told eWEEK. The strategy behind that was to drive a wedge into the open-source community and unsettle the marketplace, Shuttleworth said. He also took issue with the software maker for not disclosing the 235 of its patents it claims are being violated by Linux and other open-source software.
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Member since:
2006-03-15
"I'm amazed this guy ever got rich. He is blaming
MS for playing its cards close to the vest! That
is what you should do. They owe Linux nothing.
If MS did anything else I would be suspicious of them."
Well, by using your own logic, you should not at all be surprised or amazed that this guy ever got rich. He is playing his "cards to the vest" too. He does not owe Microsoft anything and should be making comments like that because making such comments helps Linux generally speaking. Helping your product and pointing out the evil in your competitor brings customers to your door.
"He's doing something similar to what MS is doing, instead of addressing the concerns head on he is throwing out sound bites. He is hurting the Linux community more than Bill Gates."
Maybe but maybe not. One persons sound bites is another persons proof, it all depends on your perspective. However, judging by motivation, he is very interested in protecting Linux because he basically sells Linux. So when company A comes and tries to destroy your market, you will shout and let the world know of the moral bankrupcy of company A. Why? Because it will help you keep your marketshare and stay in business. Furthermore, if company B sells the same product you do, but partners with company A to destroy your market because they just aint doing so hot, you will also go public with that information. Why? Because it will help you keep your marketshare and stay in business.
I would actually be very surprised if Shuttleworth did anything other than letting this go. Fact is that Microsoft is playing dirty and trying to wedge you out of business. Why would you let that go? Fact is also that the number 2 "Enterprise" distribution has made a very poor choice that will help destroy your product and you want to not only protect your investment, but you also want to take that number 2 "Enterprise" distributions spot. Now why would you let that go?
What you label as being a "cry baby" I label as being a great business leader. Mark is not in the business of protecting Microsoft, SuSE or being a nice guy that lets everything go. He is in the business of growing his business, competing against SuSE, Microsoft, RedHat, and he is in the business of protecting his product so that he can continue making money off of it.
Edited 2007-08-08 23:24