05.17.07
GPLv3: Myths (Mainstream Business Media) and Reality
Wide GPLv3 adoption and an early draft finalisation is a nightmare scenario to Novell and Microsoft. Carla Schroder attempts get a step ahead of the endless FUD and explain the implications of GPLv3 if adopted by enterprises. To sum it all up:
What if you cry yourself to sleep at night because you really really want to have locked hardware and discriminatory patent agreements? No problem — knock yourself out. You just can’t do it with GPL code.
As we have argued recently, the media is often (mis)used as an obedient ‘puppet’. It will not necessarily present a balanced and rational analysis. Instead, it might rely on messages which comes from public relations departments and lawyers. Have a look at this column which argues that none of Microsoft’s patent claims is news:
So put the Microsoft “patent happening” in context rather than reading too much into the mainstream business media blast and its fallout. Microsoft is taking it slow on this issue; the markets should also.
This very much relates to all the GPLv3 negativity in the media. There are apparently ‘placements’, planted in the media by corporate sponsors and partners. This is totally unacceptable in a modern society.
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.