07.31.07
Gemini version available ♊︎Microsoft Brings IP FUD into OSI, Deters Adopters
Microsoft recently revealed its intention to invade the ‘other side’ of the Open Source (Free software) world. We have already explained why the plan is a malicious one. Windows-only and Windows-optimised open source products are just the tip of the iceberg. CRN has more to say about this.
“It has assumed that any direct investment or interaction with OSS (open source software) would send a false signal to the industry regard its long-term business strategies, (which is) a heavy focus on intellectual property investment and control,” Driver said.
According to another new article, Microsoft is simply trying to hit a gentle spot which has some negative effects on Free software adoption. As argued before, these ‘friendships’ with Linux vendors and OSI are Trojan horses which at the end of the day terrorise the customer.
“The potential for copyright and patent infringement is the No. 1 inhibitor right now for organizations in adopting more open source software in their organization,” Lawton said in the afternoon conference call. “Close behind that is the availability of support.”
How does Novell fit into all of this? Well, according to this new item, Novell just keeps filing patents. Novell might actually be part of the problem (and not just passively).
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Stephen said,
August 1, 2007 at 3:39 am
But of course Novell will continue to file patents – it’s a mixed-source company – it has to. Until the joke that is the US patent system is “fixed”, any company with innovative technologies will continue to file for patents. It has already said it would do so and that it would use it’s patent arsenal defensively.
The link you’ve provided hardly shows a huge activity either – there was just one patent for Novell in 2001.
Also, Redhat do exactly the same thing and have done for a long time. See http://www.linuxtoday.com/news_story.php3?ltsn=2002-05-26-002-26-PS-RH-LL and more recently http://www.managingip.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=677230 (subscription required)
Roy Schestowitz said,
August 1, 2007 at 3:45 am
Yes, you’re right, Stephen. I wasn’t suggesting that Novell might/should stop filing patents, but do remember that they have a certain responsibility and commitment after they sidled with EFF at OSBC.