This is about Microsoft and Novell assuring business clients that there will be no lawsuits if the business clients use linux, particularly SUSE linux.
Businesses are FAR more cautious than ordinary consumers when there is a possibility of lawsuits based on intellectual property claims. Linux stands little chance of gaining widespread acceptance in the business community until and unless underlying intellectual property disputes are resolved.
This partnership agreement in a welcome and necessary step in the maturing and mainstreaming of linux in the business world.
I agree, too bad the rest of "the linux community" is outraged and wishing the destruction of Novell now.