05.15.07
Microsoft Uses Novell, Samsung, Fuji Xerox as Precedence
Just to confirm what we have preciated all along, here is a new article from BusinessWeek:
Nevertheless, Microsoft has pursued deals that incorporate similar legal principles. Among these are licensing deals Microsoft struck on Mar. 22 with Fuji Xerox, a joint venture between Fujifilm Holdings (FUJI) and Xerox (XRX); and on Apr. 18 with Samsung. Gutierrez says the arrangements resemble aspects of the Novell agreement. Those companies received licenses from Microsoft for technologies used in Linux and other open-source software contained in products they sell.
Novell cannot argue that its deal was benign. It can no longer pretend that its white flag has had no impact on Microsoft’s future actions, which GPLv3 will put a stop to. Notice this Al Capone-like reference as well:
When it comes to compensating Microsoft for its intellectual property, discussion is less painful than litigation, according to Horatio Gutierrez, Microsoft’s vice-president of intellectual property and licensing. “The alternatives to licensing are alternatives that aren’t very attractive for anyone,” he says.
In a different context, this would be equated to corporal threat. Is Microsoft truly willing to annoy some of its own customers, who use Linux at some level of capacity? As aggressive as Microsoft has become, the world seems somewhat apathetic. FUD will be FUD. Nothing more. We have learned our lesson from SCO.
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.