Dear Mr Ballmer,

As I am sure you are aware, much has been made of the recent Microsoft - Novell agreement, including numerous public statements by you in which you claim that "Linux is violating your patented intellectual property". I am the leader of a Free Software Project that produces and sells a Live CD Environment based on Slax GNU/Linux, and am concerned regarding these statements you have made and their impact on my ability to conduct business.



I am requesting that you state, with specificity, the patent numbers, which countries are they valid in, and when do they expire? I would like to review my options, including whether the patents you claim are indeed valid and apropos. Also, what are the license terms that Microsoft is requesting for usage of these patented innovations for an end user? How much for a distributor?

Regards,

Shane Coyle Founder, EDU-Nix.org