Re: [SLUG] Ballmer: Linux users owe Microsoft

From: Russell Hires (rhires@earthlink.net)
Date: Sat Nov 18 2006 - 10:07:52 EST


On Fri, 2006-11-17 at 09:13 -0500, Rich Morgan wrote:
> In comments confirming the open-source community's suspicions, Microsoft
> CEO Steve Ballmer Thursday declared his belief that the Linux operating
> system infringes on Microsoft's intellectual property.
>
> In a question-and-answer session after his keynote speech at the
> Professional Association for SQL Server (PASS) conference in Seattle,
> Ballmer said Microsoft was motivated to sign a deal with SUSE Linux
> distributor Novell earlier this month because Linux "uses our intellectual
> property" and Microsoft wanted to "get the appropriate economic return for
> our shareholders from our innovation."

Actually, what I think about this statement is that MS realized that
this was the ONLY way to "recover" anything for "their" IP. They
couldn't sue (see SCO vs. IBM); they couldn't put the genie back in the
bottle. So...if you can't beat 'em, join 'em! It's ironic that the same
tactics they used against the US Justice Dept and other companies
(delaying tactics, army of lawyers, etc.) to keep their monopoly are now
working against them.

>
> Still think the Novell/Microsoft deal is a good thing? Novell opened the
> door and look what walked in...
>
> Join the Free Software Foundation, folks. I'm telling you trouble is
> coming and the FSF will need our support.

I still echo this comment, though. :-)

Russell

>
> http://www.linuxworld.com.au/index.php/id;839593139;fp;2;fpid;1
>
> v/r,
> Rich Morgan
> OpenAddict.com
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
> This list is provided as an unmoderated internet service by Networked
> Knowledge Systems (NKS). Views and opinions expressed in messages
> posted are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the
> official policy or position of NKS or any of its employees.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This list is provided as an unmoderated internet service by Networked
Knowledge Systems (NKS). Views and opinions expressed in messages
posted are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the
official policy or position of NKS or any of its employees.



This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.3 : Fri Aug 01 2014 - 19:38:12 EDT