Novell: Join Us on the Dark Side, Ubuntu

Shane Coyle

2006-12-11 15:19:26 UTC
Modified: 2006-12-11 15:47:48 UTC

I am downloading the MP3s right now, and will have more to say soon I am sure, but finally we have coverage from Novell's face-off in South Africa.

Not surprisingly, Novell feels the community should "embrace Microsoft", and other distributions should consider striking similar deals with them.

"This deal is not an exclusive arrangement with Microsoft. We are encouraging Redhat, Ubuntu and others to consider a similar agreement with Microsoft. We are encouraging them ... especially from a patent perspective," said Masie.

"We encourage Shuttleworth and the folks to go and do what we've done. Investigate what we've done. Don't be fanatical about it but take a look at it," said Masie.

Masie said that the free software community should "embrace Microsoft".

"We should embrace Microsoft's participation in this community [and] the way they are starting to be participants. Take a look at what they have. Let's not alienate them. Let's not be fanatical about them," said Masie before begging for similar tolerance of Novell from the free software community.

Apparently, there was also some discussion of patents in the software industry, and Novell still isn't quite clear on their position on software patents. Here, Novell they admit patents inhibit innovation, yet they apparently want to simultaneously work to oppose software patents while using them as a marketing tactic. Novell has never been shy about being pro-software patent, but does this signal a shift in their stance?

"We will never, never, ever utilise our patents to attack or exercise any of our patents on the [Foss] community. The good thing about the covenant is that we are explicitly stating our position with regards patents. Customers don't like the cloud of risk of liability. Enterprise customers don't like that risk. What we've done with covenant is explicitly take away the risk,"Masie said.

He then said: "Patents are actually bad for innovation. But we will use patents to protect ourselves," while at the same time suggesting the company would look to working with local initiatives working to oppose software patents.

Head over to Tectonic, grab the Oggs or Mp3s and have a listen, I will be too.

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Novell: Join Us on the Dark Side, Ubuntu

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