THIS morning we wrote about Microsoft layoffs and an effort to engulf GNU/Linux with proprietary Microsoft software. The PR/charm offensive from last night hasn't even had much time to cool down and here is another puff piece from the Microsoft-occupied BBC (many Microsoft UK executives became managers there). Hours later we discovered that Microsoft's hatred of Linux is still bragged about. As this new article by Bogdan Popa put it, Microsoft's patent extortion of Linux is to net "$3 billion every years without moving a single finger," or, to quote the summary in full: "Microsoft has just announced that it reached an agreement with Wistron to renew their Android patent licensing agreement, so the company can continue using Redmond’s technology on its tablets, smartphones, e-readers and other devices powered by Android or Chrome OS."

"This is technically called patent stacking and it artificially elevates the price of devices with Linux on them, for the personal financial gain of Bill Gates and his growing patent network."Wistron was not only extorted by Microsoft (over patents) but also by Microsoft's troll, Intellectual Ventures, which we wrote about yesterday. This is technically called patent stacking and it artificially elevates the price of devices with Linux on them, for the personal financial gain of Bill Gates and his growing patent network.

Yes, the 'new' Microsoft. Does anyone still believe this sordid myth? The company wants to blackmail companies which use Linux (like it did Acer last month) whilst insisting that it "loves Linux". Microsoft is just provoking or trolling the GNU/Linux community with pictures that have a heart symbol in them. Corporate media is foolishly reposting these tongue-in-cheekish images. When did basic fact-checking cease to matter? ⬆