Microsoft builds a an IP bridge to Linux so that there can be arrangement under which they (Novell) pay us some money for the right to tell the customers that anybody who uses Suse Linux is appropriately covered. This information was covered by Todd Bishop over at http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com. Guess I did not realize that Microsoft owns the IP for Linux. Did you? Below is a quote from Steve Ballmer.
“So we built a technology bridge, and we built an IP bridge and a commercial framework that supports that. Novell said to us, ‘Hey, look, if you’re serious about this stuff, you better help us promote Suse Linux.’ To which we said, ‘You know we’re trying to sell Windows, that’s what we do for a living! Windows, Windows, Windows, baby! We don’t do Linux that way here.’
Their “bridge” reminds me more of a toll bridge. Guess anyone that uses Linux needs to pay toll! Below is one more direct quote.
“Linux comes from the community — the fact that that product uses our patented intellectual property is a problem for our shareholders. We spend $7 billion a year on R&D, our shareholders expect us to protect or license or get economic benefit from our patented innovations. So how do we somehow get the appropriate economic return for our patented innovation “
Maybe we can just buy a Microsoft/Linux FastPass or something.
