And Novell, and Autozone, and Red Hat, and anyone distributing Linux.
"the only legally clear version of linux, or at least the closest thing there is to such a thing."
Where does that quote come from? It makes no sense if you buy into any of the BS like you do. This deal would only clear Novell's Linux from any threats from Microsoft. It still leaves open any threat (however unlikely given what we've seen) from SCO.
Besides, we have IBM sitting in the wings with a billion+ dollar interest in Linux and the largest patent portfolio in the world. I'd hate (love?) to see what happens to a software company that threatens Linux, and therefore IBM's bottom line, with patents.
Communist clones like Ubuntu eat into IBM's bottom line already. The question is rather would a lawsuit against a single Linux vendor render all Linux vendors unable to distribute under the GPL. According to leftist freaks, probably yes, but in practical terms, very unlikely.