Microsoft Wants to Charge $50 Per GNU/Linux Desktop

Dr. Roy Schestowitz

2009-06-15 08:45:51 UTC
Modified: 2009-06-15 14:07:00 UTC

Summary: Xandros plays ball for Microsoft by offering software patent 'protection' as a product

ONE IMPORTANT bit of information that we have not addressed yet is the way Xandros markets GNU/Linux. If one adds Xandros to the cart and proceeds to checkout, then there are two options: Xandros costs $99 without "Microsoft Patent Assurance" and $149.99 with it. Here is the page containing more details.

It says: "Now you have the option to acquire Xandros Desktop offerings together with Microsoft patent assurance. This assurance enables you to use Xandros Desktop software with confidence. This program is available for $50. Learn more by reading Microsoft's covenant."

“How much does the same thing cost for SLED?”This even links to Microsoft's Web site. Nice, eh? What a pleasant experience purchasing GNU/Linux from Xandros. This also applies to Linspire, which Xandros bought. They sell Debian with a Microsoft licence for imaginary software patents.

How much does the same thing cost for SLED? And what happens if a customer does not buy this so-called "patent assurance"?

It is sad to see that Xandros still has some presence in sub-notebooks, usually at the expense of GNU/Linux distributions that don't share a bed with Microsoft. From last week:

The slow-but-steady introduction of ARM-based netbooks is going to be interesting to watch. The above video from NetbookNews.com shows a Pegatron-brand netbook running Xandros Linux on a Freescale platform with an 800MHz ARM CPU, all in a fanless, super slim body that the guy in the video, Sascha, estimates to weigh around 1.75 pounds (800 grams).

Comments

Needs Sunlight

2009-06-15 13:04:45

That would explain the talking point floating around the MSFTer lately. They sagely add to conversations that "there is open source that costs money".

Roy Schestowitz

2009-06-15 13:35:11

2 years ago Steve Ballmer said: “I do think it [Novell deal] clearly establishes that open source is not free.”

aeshna23

2009-06-15 13:01:04

I'd be interested to learn if Xandros has sold any "Intellectual Property Assurance" for Microsoft. Perhaps, de Icaza wanted to give Xandros a test drive. And I suppose we lovingly share our human experience with many stupid people.
Darren

2009-06-15 12:01:44

If you distribute a GPLv3 piece of software, doesn't the patent clause kick in and protect everyone downstream as well?

Roy Schestowitz

2009-06-15 12:30:36

Yes, it's rather peculiar.

TaQ

2009-06-15 12:08:10

Seems that they removed/changed the page.

Roy Schestowitz

2009-06-15 12:28:37

They did!!

Roy Schestowitz

2009-06-15 12:32:30

Oh, wait. They didn't. Nonetheless, it's good that I grabbed a screenshot because Xandros may change the page after the latest criticisms such as this one.

Pedro

2009-06-15 09:58:43

Have you noticed the URL for the MS+Xandros thingie? It has "interop" in it, LOL :D

I can see the ad coming out of there: €«IP protection, the only true interoperationality you'll ever see with 100% support from MS [you may see some other interop after the EU threatens; MS makes no promises about the exclusivity of such interop nor the extensionability of it.]€»
Roy Schestowitz

2009-06-15 14:09:08

I've just fixed the linkage.
aeshna23

2009-06-15 14:27:12

Your purchase of “Intellectual Property Assurance" gives Microsoft the right to harass you:

"The above covenant is personal to any given Customer and is non-transferable. By necessity, the covenant is conditioned upon the Customer providing Microsoft, upon its request, with sufficient information to verify which copies of Client Offerings and Server Offerings are Covered Products subject to the covenant."

Microsoft Wants to Charge $50 Per GNU/Linux Desktop

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