06.04.07
No GPLv3 For Xandros…
Well, as Roy had earlier touched upon, it appears that Xandros has entered into an discriminatory patent license with our friends from Redmond; looking at my calendar, today is June 4 2007 – certainly, this patent license has been entered to after the "Grandfather Clause" date of March 28, 2007.
Here are some notable aspects of the deal, which includes Xandros’ assistance in OOXML and ODF translators and implementation of WS-Management protocols, in addition to Xandros licensing some Microsoft communications protocols, and it uses the same legal framework as the Microvell deal:
On the systems management interoperability front, Xandros will partner with Microsoft to deliver management agents that will work with the next generation of Microsoft Systems Center management products. Work on this will start immediately, Kaefer said.
Xandros will also join Microsoft and other management vendors in implementing the WS-Management set of protocols in its products and in various systems management standardization efforts.
With regard to server interoperability, Xandros will license a broad set of Microsoft server communications protocols and develop enhancements to its Xandros Server software that will allow it to perform more like a Windows Server in a network setting, but Kaefer declined to give any more details about this aspect of the agreement, saying that would be shared later.
Xandros will also join Microsoft and other companies who are building open-source translators for documents stored in Microsoft’s OpenXML format and the Open Document Format. The translators will ship with the next releases of Xandros’ desktop offering, he said.
Xandros will also become a Microsoft preferred Linux server and desktop provider because of their shared commitment to interoperability and IP, meaning that Microsoft’s sales and marketing organization will be trained how best to communicate the value propositions of this collaboration to customers, Kaefer said, adding that Xandros would also join the Microsoft Interoperability Vendor Alliance.
But, unlike with Novell, where Microsoft bought certificates for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, Microsoft will not be distributing Xandros’ offerings, he said.
So, I suppose Windows users can breathe easier knowing that Xandros and MS have agreed on IP assurance, Xandros were beating the patent war drum for some time… But, seriously, Xandros? I created a domain name, www.boycottxandros.com, but I think it would actually give them some notability.
Obviously, this is not a case of Microsoft wanting to get access to Xandros’ patent portfolio, so there will be no arguing that Xandros is the party of advantage, right?
Since I am pretty sure that Microsoft has a calendar, I have a feeling that this will be Microsoft’s test case for going after the GPLv3, just as Matthew Aslett pondered.
Shane Coyle said,
June 4, 2007 at 9:07 am
As I was just shaving, I was thinking… doesn’t Xandros bundle CrossOver Office (or Wine)? (I haven’t touched it in some years, but I remember they were very much striving for Windows-compatible desktop…).
MS is really starting to tip their hand regarding their fear of Wine
Roy Schestowitz said,
June 4, 2007 at 9:40 am
…Reducing the prospects that involve a Wine-based Windows with a Linux/BSD kernel.
http://boycottnovell.com/2007/02/02/speculations-and-observations-suse-linux-windows-intersection/
There’s still the question about a .NET-rich Linux desktop, which Novell actively seems to pursue.
http://boycottnovell.com/2007/05/06/microsoft-suse-theory/
gpl1 said,
June 4, 2007 at 1:04 pm
It’s funny, I remember that Vista was originally supposed to be all .net-ified. But then it turned out it was way too slow and buggy for core applications, after they did the infamous reset. It seems Linux may in fact be a better use of that…
Shane Coyle said,
June 4, 2007 at 1:18 pm
These are my questions about Xandrosoft: is Xandros also paying a per-unit royalty for Microsoft’s right-to-use license (what, btw)?
And, what exactly did they license – MCPP? WSPP? – and what are the terms regarding GPL compatibility for anything they implement?
Roy Schestowitz said,
June 4, 2007 at 4:35 pm
http://www.businessreviewonline.com/os/archives/2007/06/has_xandros_als.html
“2. Given Section 11 of the last call draft of the GPLv3, (excerpt below) Xandros would be prevented from distributing GPLv3 code…”