It's quite profitable to be a Microsoft propaganda shill. Black Duck Software reports it's strongest quarter ever; a company founded by Microsoft marketing exec Doug Levin. What does Black Duck Software do? They publish reports we all know are anti-GPL marketing via proxy on behalf of Microsoft.

“They have also been promoting licenses that are not copyleft protected; as such Microsoft would be able to pull more than just FreeBSD's network stack.”
      --FormicWhen Black Duck Software reports its strongest quarter ever that tells us all one thing. It tells us that we now have proof that Microsoft has spent the most it ever has undermining free software (at least in regards to pseudo third party studies). This also wouldn't include all the funding spent on bloggers and other types of astroturfing.

Black Duck Software has a history of promoting open source licenses that don't require Microsoft to give up the right to sue over patents. They have also been promoting licenses that are not copyleft protected; as such Microsoft would be able to pull more than just FreeBSD's network stack.

It is obvious to us why Microsoft would fund them, and given the fact that they were founded by a Microsoft employee; it doesn't surprise us that Microsoft's propaganda arm has had it's strongest quarter. It also tells us that Microsoft has never given up its fight against free software, it is still funding and fighting it. ⬆

Source: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/black-duck-software-reports-strongest-first-quarter-in-company-history-2012-04-18

Editor's note (Roy): The above article was written after IRC discussions, and although I am not aware of any direct payments from Microsoft to Black Duck, those two did announce a professional relationship 3 years ago. One reader showed us the latest propaganda. "Here's the article that the Microsoft shill is probably responding to (link)."

"Surprise, surprise," says one commenter, "yet another anti-GPL study from Black Duck software."

"Of the two choices," says our reader, "it's probably PR campaign." Here is the PR and here is background about Black Duck. FUD is profitable, and it helps Microsoft, the "open" company, based on the numbers which speak of strong FUD, not a strong quarter. "Slashdot got trolled by shill 'bonch' who dusted off old garbage from Microsoft mouthpiece Black Duck," argues the reader. "Further, the noise is a dupe." Let's also remember OpenLogic and its latest adventures. Companies like OpenLogic and Protecode have a similar business model (and product) to Black Duck's. OpenLogic is run by a 'former' Microsoft exec.