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Microsoft's Linux strategy

269 comments

IT TOPICS:Government & Regulation, Linux, Operating Systems, Windows & Microsoft

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has claimed that Linux infringes on Microsoft's intellectual property. This follows news of the Microsoft/Novell alliance announced earlier this month, that will provide support for Novell's SUSE Linux running on Windows machines, and the promise that Microsoft will not sue SUSE users and developers for patent violations.

Will these developments result in IT turning away from Linux, or gravitating to the SUSE distributions? Or is Microsoft spreading FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt)? Post your comments below (you will be required to preview before posting).

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I think is Windows and Linux

Submitted by Nightwolf on February 11, 2008 - 5:12 P.M.

I think is Windows and Linux cant play nice together then each should be put in to their on cornors till they learn to play nice together.

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Microsoft claims Linux infringes...

Submitted by Rodger on February 1, 2008 - 2:14 P.M.

Steve Ballmer, stands out and cries foul, yet we all know that Windows at it's very core origin, infringed on Xerox, DOS 6 had stolen compression Algorythms in it's "Disk Stacker" system (a system of Zipping a HDD - for those that did not know)

to come out and make themselves the lead influence on the Computer Industry and then whinge because there are people out there that don't want to use thier over priced monopolised System Software is nothing short of Greed.

unless Microsoft can actually prove thier claims, then they are doing nothing other than "playing victim" in an effort to increase an already humongous market share,
perhaps it is time the world to say enough is enough and scrap Microsofts dominance of the market.
after all, we have the technology.

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Claims are not facts

Submitted by NMvoiceofreason on January 28, 2008 - 12:15 P.M.

Microsoft - and Apple - borrowed from the user interface of the Xerox Star. Microsoft borrowed from Novell and other networking companies to set up Windows networking. There has been lots of borrowing going on - most of it NOT innovated by Microsoft - but "borrowed" by Microsoft nonetheless.

A defense to any patent is the demonstration of prior art in the public domain. The public domain code is well documented. Since Microsoft does not publish their code, they are free to backdate it to any date they choose - presumably one before the prior art. They may even have an entire team doing exactly this - backdating code. We have no proof to the contrary - and never will. All we have is their word. I'm not calling Ballmer a liar, but he isn't telling the truth either.

However, I'd like to point out that Linux users, as a class, have an extortion / restraint of trade claim against Microsoft, should they choose to sue. Then we will find out who is telling the truth.

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Could be an interesting precedent

Submitted by Dave on December 28, 2007 - 4:12 P.M.

Well if Microsoft can sue Linux saying that Linux stole it's "inovation" then Apple should be able to sue Microsoft for stealing it's ideas.

Like I always say if you want to know what Windows will be like 5 years from now just look at what a Macintosh looks like now. Just in appearance though, don't expect it to actually work the same. You'll be fortunate if it actually works at all.

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Already Settled

Submitted by NMvoiceofreason on January 28, 2008 - 12:25 P.M.

Apple v. Microsoft. On August 7, 1992, Judge Vaughn Walker ordered partial summary judgment against Apple Computer, Inc. in the copyright case brought by Apple against Microsoft Corporation. Apple claimed that Microsoft's Windows user interface infringed Apple's copyright. With apologies to T. S. Eliot, the case, which has received intense scrutiny from the computer industry since it was filed in March 1988, ended "not with a bang but a whimper."

http://www.gesmer.com/publications/article.php?ID=109

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Well, the Leopard was no

Submitted by toki on December 31, 2007 - 3:38 A.M.

Well, the Leopard was no better than Vista :) No offense, but in my opinion it was just over-bloated, and did not work as intended. Let's hope the mega update will fix that "little inconvenience" :)

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Lepoard VS XP/Vista

Submitted by Rodger on February 1, 2008 - 2:25 P.M.

at least Lepoard was made for a set range of hardware combinations, with PC's being 95% clones and 5% various propriatory systems, it seems only Linux is equiped to run on the entire PC platform.

Windows the so called self proclaimed "technological leader" does little for end users other than make them go out and have to by more powerful computers, not that surprising when you note that Microsoft, have stakes in Intel and Nvidia, though Microsoft also have stakes in Apple, so with that in mind now we can see why Linux is the bad guy in this media war..

because the only "good guy" is Microsoft??

making yourself the only market choice, does not make you the best choice.
I guess in Microsofts case if you cannot beat them, Buy them out.
but I say this much to Microsoft, Good Luck buying out Sony when you realise you wont dominate the Consoles like you Dominate the PC's

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If you can't beat it, sue

Submitted by Anonymous on October 29, 2007 - 9:54 P.M.

If you can't beat it, sue it. If it still moves, tax it.

Sounds like SCO all over again but this time with good financial backing. Stop the threats, you have a case, show it, otherwise Shut it...

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Given Microsoft's past

Submitted by David Harmon on October 19, 2007 - 2:29 P.M.

Given Microsoft's past history of outright stealing programs, interfaces, and ownerships from every "partner" they've ever had (not to mention occasional bystanders), they have some nerve claiming "infringement of intellectual property" by anyone.

His real gripe, plain-and-simple, is that some people still persist in daring to use PCs without paying rent to Microsoft. (Oh yeah, he's probably cranky about the widespread rejection of Vista, too.)

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In my opinion, Micro$oft's

Submitted by toki on October 16, 2007 - 9:26 A.M.

In my opinion, Micro$oft's real nightmare is Google and other information provider services, because that is where the money will be in the time to come.
MS is just too inert and unable to adapt to the new trend. The proprietary model just doesn't work here.
They tried their Passport thing, but it was a security disaster.

So they will try to slow the progress, at least, by continuing to force-feed the service provider companies their "technology" and their "products"

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