05.14.07
What Made Microsoft Afraid? The GPLv3, Say Sources
After endless attacks on the GPLv3 (through proxies), Microsoft reveals that the GPLv3 has been its worst of fears.
What’s got Microsoft so spoooked? As the Fortune article noted, the GPL v3’s provisions regarding the Microsoft-Novell deal suggest that Microsoft itself could be considered a “Linux distributor,” and thus beholden to the GPL v3 terms.
As Shane pointed out, Microsoft becomes a distributor, but it is reluctant to join the Free software club. It’s an unexplored business model and an unknown paradigm to the company.
The new threats are truly old news and nothing to worry about. In addition to Groklaw’s perspective, consider this:
Should Microsoft really start to sue companies, then maybe the United States will be avoided as a market by an increasing number of companies, headquarters of American companies (except for Novell) will be moved outside the U.S., and Microsoft will be responsible for the worst recession in the history of the United States!
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.