01.03.10
Novell Repeats Mistakes of WordPerfect, This Time with Mono
Summary: As the WordPerfect case emits more evidence, Novell seems unable to draw obvious conclusions about Microsoft
GROKLAW has some new information regarding Novell’s WordPerfect case. Microsoft denied Novell access to its full APIs in order to demote it as a competitor.
Novell has filed its Reply [PDF] in support of its Motion for Summary Judgment in Novell v. Microsoft, the antitrust litigation in Maryland regarding WordPerfect. Technically, it’s Novell’s Reply in Support of its Motion for Summary Judgment and Opposition to Microsoft’s Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment. Here’s that Cross Motion and here’s Microsoft’s Opposition [PDF] to Novell’s motion. I’m sure you recall the mountain of exhibits both parties filed. [Microsoft's; Novell's.] It’s complex in that both have filed summary judgment motions, and then Microsoft filed a cross motion in response to Novell’s motion. But the themes are not complicated. Microsoft would like the court to accept its claim that Novell can’t sue Microsoft over WordPerfect, that it sold its claims to Caldera, which then sued Microsoft and won a huge settlement, and in effect Microsoft is saying the Novell already got paid for any damage done, since it got a cut of the settlement.
Novell has learned absolutely nothing from this case because its somewhat vocal .NET/Mono boosters show that the company is falling into the same trap. What a schizophrenic company. Reddit, for example, has Novell employees in it defending Mono — and by extension they defend the Microsoft ecosystem. We have received a headsup from one reader who finds Mono boosters like this person (with new comments like this new one where he might be promoting Git# [1, 2] or just the Microsoft patents-encumbered C#).
Novell needs not to repeat its past mistakes. GNOME too needs to regain focus. Microsoft is never out there assisting its competition. █
“Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
–George Santayana
