With Redmond threatening to collect royalties from Linux users and distributors across the industry, claiming that the open-source operating system violates 235 of its patents, Google has thrown its considerable weight behind the Open Invention Network (OIN), a consortium of companies bent on protecting open-source software from legal attack.
Knowing they’re protected by the OIN, Google’s DiBona argues, open source developers are more likely to drive the industry forward: “We believe Linux innovation moves fastest when developers can share their knowledge with full peace of mind. We’re proud to participate in an organization that’s making that possible, and we look forward to seeing OIN grow and thrive.”
Google is OIN’s first “end-user licensee,” which means it’s the only member who doesn’t sell, distribute, or develop Linux code. It only uses the OS within the company.
It’s always been fashionable for some to stop supporting the “little guys” when they become “big guys”. Frankly, I’d rather have someone who’s been through the corporate wars and won because of their ingenuity – on my side.
There’s no real market imperative driving Google to support Linux and Open Source. And there might never be one – without their help.
msoft has always been the king of FUD, and these patent threats are just toothier lumps of FUD, they know if they exposed what their patents are, the linux community will create workarounds before msoft lawyers can even type up the papers needed to file suit.
i love msoft — i’ll take c# over java and sql server over oracle any day — and frankly i think linux is a pain in the neck, but this patent threat is so transparently cynical i find it disappointing
I don’t know… generally I am against software patents. However there are legitimate areas of software patents, compression for example.
I think Microsoft should just tell everyone what the problem is, then let the open source community get to the process of fixing the issue.
It seems to me the problem is, Microsoft doesn’t want the Open source community to fix the problem, they just want a big check from the Linux community. More importantly, I think, Microsoft just wants the Linux community to start charging for their software.
I think that is MS’s chief issue with regards to Linux.
#2 I think Microsoft is actually looking at how RIM was nearly brought to its knees by patent trolls and hoping that holding out such threats will scare businesses away from Linux.
*sigh* This is what happens when geeks get too greedy.
#3, Todd,
I think you might be on the right track. They might also want to scare the Linux developers from writing anything further.
M$ should be careful though, they might just destroy themselves in the process of challenging Linux patents.
If M$ wins I’ll look forward to getting my Ubuntu updates from Russia!
MS is getting desperate, only going to get worse with this Vista flop.
SUN,
Open source CPU.
8.9 GHZ.
Parallel processed chip.
http://tinyurl.com/ys7adb
“There’s no real market imperative driving Google to support Linux and Open Source.”
I disagree. Google uses countless servers running Linux. If it was sued by Microsoft for patent infringement the cost of the trial would be astronomical, not even counting the judgment MS might win.
I think this is based on a sound business judgment, saving their ass.
#10
And still there’s gonna be a mac fan yapping “My iMac can outperform that machine.”
#11 – not likely any suit would progress against an end user – which is what Google is. But, Google joined the OIN to guarantee their presence in potential suits.
Seems like the opposite of a market imperative.
14. “not likely any suit would progress against an end user”
There is no end user exception for patents. End users are not typically sued because they tend not to have much money. However, considering Google has very deep pockets, they’d be a great candidate for a lawsuit. Assuming any of MS’s Linux patents are valid.
1, I want the judge to ask MS to OPEN there WHOLE OS so we can see and compare whats in the WHOLE thing. See what they have done, and stolen FROM THE PAST.
2, IF Linux looses, There will be NO improvements AFTER that point. NO fixed drivers, NO NEW drivers…NO BETTER drivers.
3. Anyone that USES Linux AFTER that point, will have to hire Hackers from HELL to continue development, OR stop using Linux…
4. copyright laws for Programming and Code have REALLY warped in the last 20 years…. Everyone USED to share and compare, and modify each others Code to make things BETTEr/perfect… ANd some of that code is still used and still out there.
Since Microsoft has exhausted other alternatives without success, a Microsoft win in the courts vs. OSS would finally budge the floundering MSFT stock price. Spoiler space… [ ] It’s about the money.
Remember, who is the biggest supporter of Linux?
IBM
How many patents do you think are in IBM’s portfolio that could possibly apply to M$ products?
Thousands at a minimum.
Does IBM want to stick it to M$.
Probably, but they didn’t want to fire the opening salvo.
I believe that M$ executives operate in a bubble surrounded by “Yes Men” and flunkies. They firmly believe that the only good software is the stuff sold by M$.
IBM will counter sue M$ for infringing it’s patents in a year or 2 and during the discovery phase will demand the source code to windows and office. M$ will try to work a deal to drop it’s suit on the grounds that IBM drop theirs. I hope IBM refuses and makes Billy boy squeal like a little piggy as they ride him into the ground.
Besides, Google must be building a nice little patent portfolio between their own work and all the companies it is acquiring.
Don