[Linux-aus] MS&Novell

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On Fri, 2006-11-03 at 14:18 +1030, Janet Hawtin wrote:
> 'This is a watershed moment for Linux. It fundamentally changes the
> rules of the game. We're really excited about this deal, and we hope
> you are too.'
> http://www.novell.com/linux/microsoft/openletter.html


So let me see if I have this right...

Novell wants to use the threat of M$ patent litigation to scare
companies into buying their Linux subscription service.

M$ wants to use Novell to force users to pay an M$ licencing fee to use
Linux.

M$ "will not assert its patents against individual, non-commercial
developers" ? Of course they wont, why would they? If they can
force/trick/con users into paying a M$ licence fee for using Linux and
open source software then every developer working on open source
software is essentially working for M$ (for free).

I'm sorry but "excited" is not a word I would use to describe the
prospect of a world where I am forced to pay licence fees to M$ for
using open source software. "Disgusted" or "sickened" would be a far
more accurate description of how I feel.

This is the same dirty trick that SCO tried to pull, anyone who
purchases Linux from Novell is now paying M$ a licencing fee.


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