12.18.07
Quick Mention: Alan Cox on Software Patents, Standards and Beyond
Red Hat Magazine has just published a new interview/monologue where Alan Cox shares his insights on issues that are relevant to us.
This video is the first in a three-part series addressing patents, open standards, and the challenges facing the free software community.
Here is a direct link to the video [Ogg].
We mentioned Alan Cox many times in the past, particularly in the context of GPLv3, Novell, and patents. Posts in which he is mentioned include:
- GPLv3 Resolves the Apache Compatibility Peril, Gets Alan Cox's Approval
- Quick Mention: Linus Torvalds “Really Don't Know” About the Legal Issues
- Responses to GNOME Foundation's OOXML Statement
- France Gets It Wrong on GNU/Linux
- New Linus Torvalds Interview Covers the Novell Issue, Again
- You Lose, You Lie
- Linus Torvalds Has No “Hugely Strong Opinion” on Cross-licensing Deals (Updated)
- Support for GPLv3 Keeps Growing with Apache Foundation Co-Founder's Nod
- GPLv3 Released Today, Early Support Already Gained (Updatedx2)
- The Free Software Foundation Explains Why Novell is off the GPLv3 Hook
- Is the Linux Kernel Approaching Acceptance of GPLv3?
- Novell and Xandros Hit by the GPL Cluebat
- Microsoft 'Study' Smears GPLv3 (Updated)
- Google Likes GPLv3, Microsoft Hates GPLv3, Eben Moglen Interview on GPLv3
- How's That GPLv3 Coming Along?
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.