linux-watch.com — Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer on May 14 claimed that "Linux violates over 228 patents." Why bring this up now? Prominent open-source lawyers, like Eben Moglen, the executive director of the Software Freedom Law Center, believe that by distributing SUSE Linux certificates, Microsoft has become a Linux distributor, and therefore subject to the GPL.
May 14, 2007 View in Crawl 4
ziadozMay 15, 2007
Not everyone has knowledge of other operating systems, nor an ICT technician at their disposal. Plus, for a small business a Windows License isn't that cost ineffective either. I agree however that there are good alternatives to Windows in the business sector.
Closed AccountMay 15, 2007
Actually, in this case it's more like:Ford - Dear Toyota: We at Ford Motor Company have been building automobiles much longer than you have. In this time, we've designed, developed and patented a number of components which make up the car as a whole. After reviewing your products, we've found 235 parts which we've deemed to be in violation of those patents. We ask that you either license the use of our patented designs or cease using these components immediately.Toyota - Dear FoMoCo: We at Toyota would be glad to redesign the offending parts if you would just let us know what they are and how your patents affect them.Ford - No, I don't think we'll be doing that. Pay us to license them or die.
bobbknightMay 15, 2007
Here's the Groklaw link<a class="user" href="http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20070513234519615">http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20070513234519615</a>
burkeMay 15, 2007
"WTB .........."You actually *can* run WoW pretty well in Wine -- Cedega works like a charm.
nkwellMay 15, 2007
Why?Fear....Enterprise vendors that were loyal to MS for eons *cough* dell *cough* are now starting to offer linux pre-installed. Linux is taking any enterprise customer that desires scalable, high-availability solutions without having to sell your first-born.
uwake911May 15, 2007
Bit hard to sue groups that are non profit. Then if Linux releases don't make money then you could debate that IP laws shouldn't apply to non businesses due to the free right to discover and create. Then there's the question if Microsoft invented most of the patents they have been granted.
chodaboyMay 16, 2007
Well if M$ weren't so anal about activation and trying to squeeze every freakin' penny outta their userbase's ass, they wouldn't really have to worry about Linux. But now they've got people turning to the distro's like Ubuntu (and not just the endusers mind you.) The only reason they've got the userbase they have is because everyone grew up learning to use it.
josh1413May 16, 2007
I don't think I'm the only one that can say that they were going to buy Windows Vista until Ubuntu Feisty Fawn came out..........I have absolutely no reason at all to get Vista now. I have absolutely no reason to even boot into Windows XP Pro but to play my BF2 which for some reason in Ubuntu I'm having issues with installing under Wine. Other than that, I think we can all say Linux ftw!