Microsoft vs. Open Source Battle Intensifies
Microsoft has made a claim that open-source software like Linux violates a mind-boggling 235 of its patents. This, if anything, is the biggest sign that Microsoft finally sees open source as a credible threat, which means that open source is making a significant dent in its marketshare. With Ubuntu Linux taking off and Firefox breaking 15% of marketshare, they have a reason to be worried.
Many people are saying that this is a terrible PR move for Microsoft, but it’s not as bad it looks. The people using open source software are already not big fans of Microsoft, and most existing Microsoft customers will not be affected, as long as clicking on the big blue “e” still gets them on the Internet. On the contrary, the possibility of legal action will discourage large corporations from adopting open source- and without big business behind it, open source has a long and difficult journey ahead.
Unfortunately, Microsoft might be successful in asserting their patents. They have almost 10,000 patent applications, most of which are quite vague. Example: A “getting started” screen. That’s not the problem for Microsoft. The problem is that Linux is built by a community of thousands of enthusiasts- communal software development defines open source. So who is Microsoft to sue? Red Hat? Linus Torvalds? Expect a lot of sabre-rattling and threats, but not a lot of legal action.
Others:
- John Wilson sees no positive way out of this for Microsoft
- Robert Scoble expect Microsoft to get more aggressive
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Excuse me, but even developers who develop for Microsoft platforms enjoy being part of communities, including FOSS if they want to - whether it’s simple stuff like NUnit, or more involved like Mono. I also think developers, as a community, respect competition through innovation, not competition through legal strong-arming.
I think this is the worst possible direction for MS to move in - it’s made me think seriously about what I’m doing, helping create software for Windows. If they get serious about this, I’m changing sides - I’m not going to help lawyer scum beat up developers.
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[…] Microsoft has made a claim that open-source software like Linux violates a mind-boggling 235 of its patents. This, if anything, is the biggest sign that Microsoft finally sees open source as a credible threat, which means that open source is making a significant dent in its marketshare. With Ubuntu Linux taking off and Firefox breaking 15% of marketshare, they have a reason to be worried. (more…) […]
*looks as if he just heard something profane* Excuse Me? Well at least Ubuntu tells us which software is from a third party, but this is just ridiculous
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From my point of view, open source software will transform the future of software market.
From my point of view, open source software will transform the future of software market.
i agree with Helen “open source software will transform the future of the software market ” we will wait for this “dream to come true”
this is na billion dollar deal.. the intersection of the majors
I still use IE…I’m digging the new tabs feature they created. The funny thing is is that I’ve heard nothing but good things about Firefox, and yet I just still use the “blue E”. I’m pretty sure Firefox is better…my loyalty to IE is really just tradition by now.