LAST WEEK we wrote about Likewise getting sued for patent violation. We had no sympathy because Likewise is a proprietary software company masquerading as "open source" and exploiting the work of Free software developers [1, 2, 3, 4]. Not surprisingly, Likewise is connected closely to Microsoft and it endorses software patents too. Here is Likewise getting chummy with former Microsoft executives who now run VMware and here it is announcing that it will promote working the Windows way at the Ohio LinuxFest. The audience there will hopefully know what it's up against.

“Even the bad guys are using the term "open source" right now.”Likewise is not the only faker of "open source" (it's really 'open' core, i.e. proprietary the way Microsoft loves it).

To give some new examples of fake "open source", here is a company which markets its ASP.Net-based project as "open source" even though it clearly says: "Source code price is just US$ 700."

Another new example of a faker comes from India. "The source code is available in three different licensing versions," says the press release. It goes as follows: "Single site License, Enterprise License and OEM License. The pricing for these licenses are $5K and $10K accordingly. The OEM License is open for negotiation." Even the bad guys are using the term "open source" right now. Will OSI step in and police the term? It's a hard rope to walk. ⬆