Novell made deal because Linux infringes on Microsoft patent
WinInfo | at | by Mike
This week, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said that his company's recent deal with Linux distribution maker Novell came about after Microsoft discovered that Linux infringed on various Microsoft patents. Microsoft "wanted to get the appropriate economic return for our shareholders from our innovation," Ballmer said, noting that part of the deal includes Novell paying Microsoft $40 million to cover those patents. "Novell pays us some money for the right to tell customers that anybody who uses SuSE Linux is appropriately covered," Ballmer said. "This is important to us, because we believe every [other] Linux customer basically has an undisclosed balance-sheet liability." Yikes. If that doesn't send a chill down the spine of every Red Hat and Ubuntu customer, it should. Expect Microsoft to turn its attention to other Linux makers soon.