11.17.06

Gemini version available ♊︎

Dear Mr. Ballmer

Posted in Action, FUD, GNU/Linux, GPL, Intellectual Monopoly, Patents, Steve Ballmer at 1:32 pm by Shane Coyle

Dear Mr Ballmer,

As I am sure you are aware, much has been made of the recent Microsoft – Novell agreement, including numerous public statements by you in which you claim that “Linux is violating your patented intellectual property”. I am the leader of a Free Software Project that produces and sells a Live CD Environment based on Slax GNU/Linux, and am concerned regarding these statements you have made and their impact on my ability to conduct business.

I am requesting that you state, with specificity, the patent numbers, which countries are they valid in, and when do they expire? I would like to review my options, including whether the patents you claim are indeed valid and apropos. Also, what are the license terms that Microsoft is requesting for usage of these patented innovations for an end user? How much for a distributor?

Regards,

Shane Coyle
Founder, EDU-Nix.org

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4 Comments

  1. Meo said,

    November 18, 2006 at 8:24 am

    Gravatar

    A Boycott Novell site is very nice. But all the google ads showing Suse Linux ads don’t really make sense to me…..

  2. simon said,

    November 18, 2006 at 4:30 pm

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    Click on the Suse ads. It wastes Novell’s money!

  3. Roy Schestowitz said,

    November 18, 2006 at 5:07 pm

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    @Simon: better yet, run wget in a loop on that link. J/K.

  4. shane said,

    November 18, 2006 at 5:36 pm

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    Well that would only be true if it were a Novell ad, most ads are small companies that distribute and/or support Linux, including SuSE and SLED. DO NOT just click ads to waste advertiser’s money, it is unethical and will not bring about the desired effect since I doubt Novell advertises here.

    Boycott Novell, tell someone you know to Boycott Novell, but don’t commit click fraud.

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