Linux owned by Microsoft?

[HarryChiling]

Microsoft is paying Novell $440 mil to provide support to for SUSE Linux to its users, and in a backend deal Novell is paying Microsoft $40 mil to license linux.

Microsoft has always claimed that the linux kernel has infringing code in it. This deal could be used as a sort of admission by Novell that this is true.

http://www.linuxworld.com.au/index.p...39;fp;2;fpid;1

[Blake]

Well, Microsoft does know a thing or two about "borrowing" ideas. However, it'll be hard for them to make their case without revealing exactly what about Linux (especially the kernel) infringes on their IP rights.

As for Novell, they're netting $400 million for being part of the patent infringement. If that's the penalty, I'd be surprised if some of the other Linux companies didn't cut a deal. Not the Ubuntu-type Linux-should-be-free-for-everyone types, but the corporate types.

[HarryChiling]

It looks like Red Hat is taking a stand also.

[Zachary_Barvitz]

I was under the impression that the marriage was more of a poke in the eye at vmware over anything else.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/07/20/ms_xen_love/