LATELY we've been writing a lot more than usual about Red Hat/IBM, seeing that more people now recognise we were right all along. The crackdown on CentOS (as if its users are 'pirates' or something) was an illuminating moment or a wake-up call to those out there who had long assumed IBM would promote Free software. We weren't among those optimists, knowing the history, objectives and policies of IBM, including the patent blackmail (not to mention IBM's aggressive lobbying against 35 U.S.C. ۤ 101/Alice, a SCOTUS decision that defanged software patents, as well as pushback against the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) because inter partes reviews (IPRs) invalidate IBM patents).

"It is also noteworthy that this IBM front group (OFE) along with the Foundation are openly liaising with corrupt officials who promote Free software-hostile policies."Someone has brought to our attention this Linux Foundation/IBM 'tag team' act, sponsored by IBM to lobby the European Commission next week. The 'event' (webinar) features IBM people and Benoît Battistelli's friend, Thierry Breton, who has covered up the many EPO crimes. He's also pushing for software patents while António Campinos is in Office, misusing laughable buzzwords like "HEY HI" (AI). That IBM and the 'Linux' Foundation are lobbying together ought not shock us. We've often spoken about Microsoft takeover of the Foundation, but one company that's always a step ahead is IBM (many staff members in the Foundation have IBM background, more so than Microsoft).

It is also noteworthy that this IBM front group (OFE) along with the Foundation are openly liaising with corrupt officials who promote Free software-hostile policies. What's IBM thinking?

Then again, consider IBM's history, which includes facilitating Nazi genocide and eugenics in the US.

Incidentally, someone from the EPO told us "that the EPO management is prompt[ing] to apply Godwin's law..."

Because how dare anyone compare a corporation of executives to Nazis? Even those that profited directly from it?

"Heard from colleagues," the EPO insider told us: "Do you know what NS stands for?, Hum, Nellie Simon!!"

Not "National Socialist"? Simon is from Austria, the country whose best known person was leader of the Nazi Party. Some say the second-well-known Austrian (albeit a person born after the war) is the person who recently warned about autocrats, having been abused by his Nazi and insensitive father.

It's worth noting that OpenForum Europe is basically fronting for companies that aren't European and it's hardly the only organisation with "Europe" in its name but America (US) in its agenda. ⬆