07.17.07
Linus Torvalds Escapes the Novell Question, Dismisses Microsoft’s “FUD”
In this new interview with Linus Torvalds, a few interesting questions were raised. The first answer remained consistent with what he said just a couple of weeks ago.
We can’t start without a question: does Linux infringe Microsoft patents?
[Linus Torvalds:] As far as we know, the answer is a resounding “no”, and it’s all just MS trying to counter-act the fact that they have problems competing with Linux on a technical side by trying to spread FUD.
Be aware that the following article was published yesterday. Red Hat’s mindset aligns with that of Torvalds.
Microsoft: No IP Talks with Red Hat
[…]
That approach will not work for Red Hat; Cormier’s position has been, “I want to talk to the folks at Microsoft about our two operating systems and how we can work together to solve real customer problems without attaching any unrelated strings, such as intellectual property.”
Returning to the interview, have a look at the following question and answer.
What do you think about Novell and Microsoft’s agreement? Which future developments will produce? And what about Red Hat’s events?
[Linus Torvalds:] I really don’t care. You’re asking all these marketing and company questions, and the thing is, I’m not at all into it. I’m totally uninterested. What I’m into is the technology, and working together with people.
Someone seems to have hit a nerve. Alax Cox was not reluctant to just say that “Novell are [were] going to get stung by the GPLv3, and rightfully so”. This was said before the draft of the licence got amended to pardon Novell.
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.