Comments

• SubSonica

  2008-03-09 11:59:52

  I don't know if you were aware and commented on this: http://www.openoffice.org/licenses/newlicense2008.html Now let's see what happens with OpenOffice-Novell Edition (which has Microsoft formats ad default) and if they are able to distribute it also under (L)GPLv3, see what happens with that MSOOXML format... "OpenOffice.org supports import and export of established Microsoft Office file formats, even taking advantage of geometrically compatible fonts to match document length. In addition, OpenOffice.org Novell Edition ensures compatibility between the Open Document Format (ODF) and Open XML, Microsoft's new document format for Office 2007. Transparent document sharing makes OpenOffice.org the best choice for customers who are deploying Linux desktops in a mixed Linux/Windows environment." Either Novell is now virtually owned by Microsoft Corporation or thaks to the not quite brilliant idea of Novell's execs of receiving 340millions of danegeld, MSFT will sue Novell -or worse, its customers (think of big ones such as PSA Peugeot-Citroen, one of the biggest European car manufacturers)- as soon as the term of the patent pact ends... Moreover, Novell could also be subject to actions if they don't re-distribute under the original GPLv3 licecnce the future versions of OpenOffice.org... else they will have to fork and mantain single-handedly a version of OOo that will become more and more incompatile with the original as development of the later progresses...

• CoolGuy

  2008-03-09 15:24:14

  No more coupons for novell.
  
  They cannot use the OOXML with open office - plain and simple.
  
  M$ has withdrawn the sweet kissing it was doing with novell.
  
  Novell is open to a legal threat by m$ now. They are like a mouse who has finally walked into his own death trap - there is no escape. Guns are pointing at novell from both the FOSS and m$. Serves them right.
  
  Most probably they will withdraw the OOXML support from open office. Thats the best they can do now. Or rather the only thing they can do.