This post is part of a series which illustrates how Microsoft screwed (pardon the language) Novell over the years. This one from 7 years ago [PDF], and it's part of Microsoft's attack plan on UNIX.

2. We should make sure the Unix focus includes Linux.

[...]

* Win in the NOS space (A.K.A beat Novell): I strongly suggest not to make this as part of an initiative called Infrastructure. We really need at least another year of very strong focus on Novell. I know I will have this as a key priority for the US even if we decide it will not be a separate initiative. Elevating it all the way to one of the @key 5 or 6@ will be essential to have everyone in the company understand we are not done with Novell. We don't want to repeat FY98 at a time Novell is raising its ugly head again.

This sounds like a targetted attack on a particular company. You are advised to read previous posts from this series, even if only to see that technical sabotage was part of this game. Another noteworthy exhibit [PDF] from 1999 Mentions GNU/Linux and ACPI compatibility.

[Bill Gates:] "Maybe we can define the APIs so that they work well with NT and not the others even if they are open. Or maybe we could patent something related to this."

Clearly, this is abuse of an already-broken patents system. It's intended to stifle or at least slightly cripple interoperability, rather than encourage innovation and protect inventors.

Stay tuned. There is more to come. All of these court exhibits were put in the public domain, thanks to the wonders of the Internet. Our intent here is best explained using a tidbit which has become a cliché:

"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

                 -- George Santayana