Linux Online - Opinion: Novell-Microsoft Agreement

Linux Online: Opinion

The Novell-Microsoft Agreement: Time to Take a Deep Breath

Michael J. Jordan, Linux Online Staff

November 3, 2006

The Novell execs should write a letter of thanks to Pastor Ted Haggard. His now public walk on the wild side is what's keeping the already infamous deal between Novell and Microsoft off the front page. And just like Pastor Ted, who goes around in public decrying homosexual relationships but allegedly in private has been maintaining one, Novell has been caught in a contradiction. Upon their purchase of the top-tier distribution SuSE, they claimed they saw the light and found their savior in Free and Open Source software. The truth is, they've been negotiating a patent pact with the proprietary devils in Redmond and yesterday, they came out of the closet.

And the Linux Community is not happy.

Pamela Jones, who runs the SCO case information clearinghouse Groklaw, has normally had nothing but glowing things to say about Novell. That ended yesterday when she reported that news of the deal had the same effect on her as ipecac syrup. Eben Moglen, chief counsel for the Free Software Foundation has pointed out that Novell's licensing of patents from Microsoft may end up impeding their distributing Linux under the GPL. Furthermore, he points out that the Microsoft's pledge not to sue independent hobbyist developers and users does absolutely nothing for those who are being paid for their contributions to Linux. And as Open Source luminary Bruce Perens points out, the moment you've used Linux for any kind of commercial transaction - like making an internet purchase - you're now fair game for Microsoft's legal team. Unless, of course, you use SUSE Linux. But you should keep in mind that apparently, if you're a SUSE user, part of the money you've spent will go to Bill Gates for patent royalties.

But as Moglen points out, how this agreement is actually going to play out is yet to be seen. The best course of action for those of us who have a stake in Linux's future to just take a deep breath. Whether of not the sky is really going to fall on us is something nobody really knows.

What we do know, however, is that Microsoft has a long, long history of making agreements and alliances with competing companies and then driving them so far into the ground that, like punch drunk gophers, they pop their heads up in China. Hasn't Novell heard of what happened to the agreement between IBM and Microsoft to develop OS/2? Have they ever talked to UK phone maker Sendo about their agreements with Microsoft? And more importantly, have they forgotten what Microsoft did to Netware? If you take these historical events into account, on the face of it, this agreement looks profoundly stupid. Sure, Novell's stock has gone up a few points. It also appears SUSE Linux will place nice with Microsoft on a network for now. But how long will that last?

Probably not very long. It's a good bet that Microsoft is up to its old tricks again. With this agreement, they're trying to saw one leg off the Linux table. But if we can take consolation from one fact, at least, it's that Microsoft wouldn't have done this if they were really confident in the success of their long term strategy. Establishing a beachhead in the Linux market is one thing. Stemming the tide of Linux use is quite another.

Michael J. Jordan is the webmaster of Linux Online. He can be reached at Michael.Jordan**AT**linux.org