Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Microsoft and LG Electronics Sign Linux Covenant

Posted by Zonk on from the another-company-of-the-willing dept.

rs232 wrote with a PC World link discussing another alliance between Microsoft and a vendor via Linux. The vendor this time around is electronics maker LG, and marks the fifth company to license unspecified patents relating to Linux or Linux devices from the OS giant. "'This agreement is focused only on exchange of patent rights,' said David Kaefer, general manager of IP licensing at Microsoft. 'The open-source elements of the deal do utilize a covenant model similar to the Xandros and Novell deals, but this deal is most similar to recent agreements with Samsung and Fuji Xerox.' Those deals were signed this year in April and March, respectively. Both covered general access to intellectual property contained in patent portfolios and included protection for customers using Linux-based software."

5 of 263 comments (clear)

  1. Help! I'm confused by MobyDisk · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Why do I keep seeing headlines about companies signing patent deals with a company who said that Linux infringes on exactly 225 of their patents, but doesn't know which ones? Why are companies signing patent deals with a company to protect them from patents without knowing what they are? This is sounding like SCO -vs- IBM 2.0, but even more bizarre. What the heck is going on?

  2. Re:Just wasting their money... by peragrin · · Score: 4, Interesting

    apparently you like everyone else isn't reading the deals properly.

    When all is said and done MSFT is PAYING Novell 140 million dollars.

    That's right people MSFT is paying protection money to Linux vendors, while telling the press the exact opposite.

    read the facts for yourself. not MSFT PR spin only.

    --
    i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.
  3. Re:What a deal by mrsmiggs · · Score: 4, Interesting
    It's a cross patent protection deal, just like the same deal Apple has with Microsoft. It is in no way as significant as the Novell or Xandros deals. If LG didn't ship Linux products this wouldn't be news but would still have the exact same affect on the consumer: zero.

    Both companies are simply saying we could sue each other but we won't.

  4. One quick point... by TihSon · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Before I get my qwerty in a knot over this, am I not correct in pointing out these covenants and agreements apply only to companies who deal with the U.S.A., while doing business in said state?

    Last time I checked, I live elsewhere, my current distro is E.U. based, and my probable future distro is based in the Isle of Man, so why should I care about Americans shooting themselves in the foot?

    --
    In B.C., our fascism is green.
  5. Re:Just wasting their money... by brunascle · · Score: 4, Interesting

    does that mean that MS is telling LG what patents they claim they own in linux?