It is rather pleasing to see that not only Free software advocates but users and companies as well do not care for Microsoft's latest wave of FUD.

Microsoft's threat to seek patent royalties from open source software users and vendors is so far provoking more scorn than fear.

Rather than scare companies away from using or distributing open source, the general consensus is that the company's threats of litigation -- outlined in statements Microsoft executives including CEO Steve Ballmer made to Fortune magazine this week -- prove it's the software giant who is afraid of the competitive threat Linux and open-source software pose to its business long term.

We must remind ourselves that this game revolves around fear, not actual danger or threat.

What will Microsoft do about these perceived offenses? Will they go after companies such as Red Hat Inc.? Open source users themselves? Or, as other speculate, is Ballmer bluffing, offering vague threats in lieu of actual evidence, or as a way to spook other open source companies into signing a similar agreement inked by Novell?

Companies must not fear. This is a fear-driven campaign intended to pressure companies to enter relationships they neither desire nor require.