THE OSI called it "Monopoly 2.0", whereas others call it a duopoly. Either way, the deal that Novell signed with Microsoft was intended to give power to Microsoft in exchange for 'kickbacks' (or financial benefits), cumulatively funneled into Novell in the form of SUSE coupons, which Microsoft outwardly calls "patent royalties". This horrible deal is still mentioned in Novell's annual report, the last of which was released yesterday. A summary of it can be found in MarketWatch or Yahoo and the full report is on EDGAR.
sec.org:
MICROSOFT – NOVELL PATENT COOPERATION AGREEMENT
This patent cooperation agreement (“Agreement”) is effective as of November 2, 2006 (“Effective Date”) by and between Microsoft Corporation, a Washington corporation having a primary place of business at One Microsoft Way, Redmond, Washington, USA 98052, and Microsoft Corporation’s Subsidiary, Microsoft Licensing, GP, a Nevada General Partnership having its primary place of business at 61000 Neil Road, Reno, Nevada, USA 89511 (“MLGP”) (collectively, “Microsoft”), and Novell, Inc., a Delaware corporation having a primary place of business at 404 Wyman, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA 02451 (“Novell”). Microsoft and Novell are herein referred to separately as “a party” or collectively as “the parties” and when capitalized as “Party” or “Parties” also includes their respective Subsidiaries.
RECITALS
Microsoft Corporation is the owner of its Patents (as defined below); and has licensed the rights to commercially exploit its Patents to MLGP.
The Parties acknowledge the ownership or control of Patents and a desire to grant rights to each other’s Customers and make certain accommodations to each other under certain such Patents.
The Parties expect to continue research and development that will result in ownership or control of additional Patents and therefore desire to grant rights to each other’s Customers and make certain accommodations to the other Party under certain such additional Patents.
In consideration of the mutual covenants and conditions stated herein and for good and valuable consideration, the Parties agree as set forth herein.
--Supreme Court Justice Jackson
Comments
Shane Coyle
2008-12-24 21:09:51
Yeah, like a license for all patents prior to the agreement (with the obligatory "certain exceptions") as they state more clearly in their 10-k filing:
Roy Schestowitz
2008-12-24 21:24:05
Qatana
2008-12-28 19:27:11
if you are more than 10 years in IT and Security, you know Novell is never was on top in it, Netware make servers more insecure, and help the attackers to easy find a corporate all connections, partnerships, phone no., payments etc...
In the past, I'am so said when Novell 'eat' Suse, Inacceptable to cooperate Linux with Microsoft, because they will injecting every insecure technology in Linux, than they will said people : Linux is insecure too, Linux has viruses, Linux has Trojans and the peoples will see,,
Opensource is not Buisness, it is help the humans to create the best technology in the world, and its free your mind! Microsoft is the spyware, i think!