Interests seemingly seized by Microsoft

Summary: Following bad appointments, Yahoo is negotiating with Microsoft secretly and Lenovo is collaborating with Microsoft

The Yahoo Kerkuffle

WE have already warned [1, 2, 3, 4] that a former Microsoft partner, Carol Bartz, had been 'planted' inside Yahoo. Unlike Decker, she has no resentment against the company that was publicly accused of agitating Yahoo and now she's requesting some private time with Steve Ballmer, who is her former business partner (and patent licensee too).

Yahoo! Inc. Chief Executive Officer Carol Bartz said she will negotiate in private with Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer on any Internet-search deal.

This was also covered in:

• Yahoo CEO Bartz won’t talk publicly with Microsoft
• Yahoo CEO says any Microsoft deal talks will be secret

Lo and behold what happens next:

• Judge Approves Yahoo Accord on Microsoft Bid

A judge in Delaware Chancery Court approved a settlement Friday by Yahoo that makes changes in its severance plan that investors contend would make it easier for Microsoft and other potential suitors to buy the Internet search company.

• Yahoo Wins Severance-Plan Approval That May Aid Buyout Offers

Yahoo Inc., owner of the second most-popular U.S. Internet search engine, won a judge’s approval of a settlement mandating changes to the company’s severance plan that investors contend will make it easier for Microsoft Corp. or other potential suitors to buy it.

As annoying as it may be, given prior evidence it seems likely that Yahoo and Microsoft will end up with some form of partnership (a de facto anti-Google alliance). And since Microsoft virtually controls the United States government [1, 2], nothing may stand in their way. It would be harmful to GNU/Linux too.

The Lenovo Conundrum

Speaking of partnerships, one comes to fruition shortly after Lenovo was seen taking Microsoft employees on board. Lenovo is also snubbing Red Hat and instead promoting the Microsoft-influenced Novell SUSE (with undisclosed Microsoft patents tax).

It has only been a few weeks since we warned about Microsoft's influence in Lenovo and now comes this press release about a Lenovo-Microsoft partnership. Accompanying coverage can be found in:

• Microsoft and Lenovo Team Up for College Students
• Microsoft and Lenovo: The ultimate academic PC
• Microsoft and Lenovo Unveil Ultimate Academic PCs for Students

The issue of insider influence is real. It is important for this to be realised, at least as a possibility and/or a factor in decision-making. Microsoft employees don't like GNU/Linux for example. ⬆

"Linux is a cancer that attaches itself in an intellectual property sense to everything it touches."

--Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO