12.02.06
Novell Discourages Government Supervision, Regulations Over Microsoft
One of the less visible gains for Microsoft from this deal are antitrust implications. Simply put, the deal works in Microsoft’s favour. It makes it seem as though Microsoft is willing to interoperate with everyone.
The following article would anger quite a few people. Therein lie quite a few misleading statements. They prove that Novell lends a hand to Microsoft in its fight against antitrust regulations and for software patents, which are supposedly inridged upon by Linux. Novell’s deal empowers Microsoft and enables it to continue its aggressive behaviour.
Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today pointed to the collaboration between Microsoft and Novell as another reason to shun government intervention in the technology sector. The companies struck a deal to improve interoperability between Microsoft Windows and Novell’s Linux operating system.
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The deal ensures that SuSE Linux can operate together with Windows in corporate data centers, defends Novell from patent infringement suits from Microsoft, and protects both companies’ intellectual property.
“The agreement to share intellectual property stands in stark contrast to the effort by the European Commission to force Microsoft to share some of its trade secrets with competitors,” Schatz continued. “The marketplace is the best venue for these issues to be resolved. Regulation by litigation hurts taxpayers, stifles innovation, and threatens intellectual property rights.”
As the above demonstrates, more patent FUD continues to be spread, not only in European countries where software patents are altogether invalid. To those who don’t know, Novell touts protection from patent infringement in its leaflets in Germany and England. It’s highly deceitful.
shane said,
December 2, 2006 at 9:15 am
From the article:
In July 2006 the European Commission (EC) hit Microsoft with an unprecedented fine of 280.5 million euros ($357 million), or 1.5 million euros per day, retroactive to December 15, 2005. The fine was based on allegations that Microsoft was not disclosing and documenting Windows Server technology to rival companies.
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Now, when Novell goes and testifies to the EC that the interop info is sufficient and the LICENSE TERMS (remember that royalty folks? notice the patent pledge my MS disallows commercial development or just about any redistribution) are Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory, who will speak up? How many Free Software projects will be able or willing to pay the Microsoft tax?
NOVELL SOLD OUT THE COMMUNITY. If allowed to continue, they will proprietize Linux (notice I didn’t say GNU/Linux) with Microsoft’s help.