Posted on 04/05/2006 8:39:22 AM PDT by luthers_inkwell
At http://www.no-lobbyists-as-such.com/florian-mueller-blog/ballmer-linux/ we're reminded that Microsoft wants Linux dead. Ballmer is once again making noise about patents.
Unfortunately, Microsoft likely does have patents it could use against Linux. IBM can probably be replied upon to fight back on the side of Linux with its own patents - supposedly they've called Microsoft patent bluffs in the past just by pointing out that they also have stacks of patents and idle lawyers ready to look for violations by Windows code. However, Microsoft might now be willing to risk the battle.
Microsoft is not in a happy place right now. Vista is delayed, and both Apple and Linux are gnawing at its toes. The increasing interest in virtualization and particularly in package/OS bundling like VMware Player is a bumpy road for Microsoft because of OS licensing. Microsoft doesn't want its OS sales pirated, but it doesn't want to miss out on that market either. Linux apps can be shipped with a free OS; Microsoft apps cannot.
(Excerpt) Read more at aplawrence.com ...
This thread deserves 500 hits : )
heres to 500 more...
Amen, brother!!
Honestly I think that MS will have vist out in January, the damage of four years in delay is done and a patent war right now is closing the doors after the horse is out...
They might pick a fight for another reason, Linux continues to grow its server market share faster than windows and vista aint going to change that..
That was a bit of an oldie. :-)
Sorry for the delay, but a ping brought me back to this thread and I realized I never replied to you.
Of course, anyone can sue for anything, no matter how baseless. But this is about the terms of the GPL, which states that a user doesn't even need to abide by the terms of the license in order to run the software, thus no grounds for any kind of suit.
It's when a person distributes, modifies or copies GPL software that tortious license provisions kick in, "Activities other than copying, distribution and modification are not covered by this License; they are outside its scope. The act of running the Program is not restricted..."
An oldie, but a goodie...
Those Digital Deconstructionists!!! :P
hehehe
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