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Novell Responds To Microsoft's IP Claims

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the just-can't-help-themselves dept.

Azul writes "Ron Hovsepian, Novell's CEO, has posted an open letter to the Community, where he explicitly states Novell's disagreement with Steve Ballmer's claims of Linux infringing on Microsoft's intellectual property. From the letter: 'We disagree with the recent statements made by Microsoft on the topic of Linux and patents. Importantly, our agreement with Microsoft is in no way an acknowledgment that Linux infringes upon any Microsoft intellectual property. When we entered the patent cooperation agreement with Microsoft, Novell did not agree or admit that Linux or any other Novell offering violates Microsoft patents.'"

5 of 317 comments (clear)

  1. So in other words... by strider44 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Microsoft just wasted a few hundred million dollars? Congrats to Novell...

  2. Dead Licence Sketch by NZheretic · · Score: 5, Funny

    A customer enters a Novell Office.
    Mr. Praline: 'Ello, I wish to register a complaint.
    (Novell does not respond.)
    Mr. Praline: 'Ello, Miss?
    Novell: What do you mean "miss"?
    Mr. Praline: I'm sorry, I have a cold. I wish to make a complaint!
    Novell: We're closin' for lunch.
    Mr. Praline: Never mind that, my lad. I wish to complain about this Linux Distro what I purchased not half an hour ago from this very boutique.
    Novell: Oh yes, the, uh, the Novell OpenSuse Linux...What's,uh...What's wrong with it?
    Mr. Praline: I'll tell you what's wrong with it, my lad. According to the terms of the GPL you can no longer distribute it, that's what's wrong with it!
    Movell: No, no, it's uh,... part of the service agreement.
    Mr. Praline: Look, matey, I know a violation of the GPL when I see one, and I'm looking at one right now.
    Novell: No no it not violated, it's , it's cirumvented'! Remarkable OS, the Suse Linux, idn'it, ay? Beautiful eye candy with GLX
    Mr. Praline: The eye candy don't enter into it. your in violation of the GPL.
    Novell: Nononono, no, no! it's just slightly cirumvented!
    ...

  3. Re:Give Novell a Break by civilizedINTENSITY · · Score: 3, Funny

    No, its really more like kissing a whore on the mouth that you already knew had multiple STDs, and then wondering why no one will go out with you when you brag about it. MS antitrust issues (past and present) as well as their history of screwing "partners" makes this a much better analogy.

  4. Re:trouble ahead?, trouble behind. by Baricom · · Score: 4, Funny

    Some of us think OS/2 is still pretty decent, at least given its age. :-)
    I'm glad it's working out for both of you. :)

  5. STD-riddled whores? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
    No, its really more like kissing a whore on the mouth that you already knew had multiple STDs, and then wondering why no one will go out with you when you brag about it. MS antitrust issues (past and present) as well as their history of screwing "partners" makes this a much better analogy.
    Eww! Come back bad car analogies, all is forgiven!