01.22.07
Microsoft Has Begun Patent Trolling in SA, Novell Skeptic Responds
Amidst Novell’s new contract with BT, Derek Keats, whom we mentioned several times before (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) has more to say:
Multi-nationals ignore South Africa patent law
“Does Microsoft intend to continue to break the law by filing software patents in South Africa?”
Also recall that Novell boasts protection from software patents in Europe, where these are not even allowed. This does not only lead to customer confusion. It potentially has a mental effect on lawmakers. Novell serves Microsoft desire to change the laws, which it perceives as illegitimate.
Update: I apologise for the duplicate. Hopefully the two posts complement one another.
Highlight: Novell was the first to acknowledge that Microsoft FUD tactics had substance. Novell then used anti-Linux FUD to market itself. 
Highlight: Xandros let Microsoft make patent claims and brag about (paid-for) OOXML support. 
Highlight: Linspire's CEO not only fell into Microsoft arms, but he also assisted the company's attack on GNU/Linux. 
Highlight: Microsoft craves pseudo (proprietary) standards and gets its way using proxies and influence which it buys. 
Highlight: The invasion into the open source world is intended to leave Linux companies neglected, due to financial incentives from Microsoft. 
Analysis: Xen, an open source hypervisor, possibly fell victim to Microsoft's aggressive (and stealthy) acquisition-by-proxy strategy.