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Microsoft States GPL3 Doesn't Apply to Them
pilsner.urquell writes "Microsoft yesterday issued a statement proclaiming that it isn't bound by GPLv3. Groklaw has a very humorous rejoinder to the company's claim. From that article: 'They think they can so declare, like an emperor, and it becomes fiat. It's not so easy. I gather Microsoft's lawyers have begun to discern the GPL pickle they are in. In any case it won't be providing any support or updates or anything at all in connection with those toxic (to them) vouchers it distributed as part of the Novell deal ... These two -- I can't decide if it's an elaborate dance like a tango or more like those games where you place a cloth with numbers on the floor and you have to get into a pretzel with your hands and feet to touch all the right numbers. Whichever it is, Novell and Microsoft keep having to strike the oddest poses to try to get around the GPL. If they think this new announcement has succeeded, I believe they will find they are mistaken. In other words, not to put too fine a point on it, GPLv3 worked.'" EWeek has further analysis of this proclamation.
I declare Microsoft's EULA does not apply to me.
No kidding.
There are some fascinating arguments, in various jurisdictions, about whether EULAs have legal weight. But they are often way more complicated than you make out and not nearly as clear-cut, and the case law isn't definitive in many places either yet.
If you disagree, post your argument. (-1, Overrated) isn't your personal censorship tool for views you don't like.
I think Microsoft still makes the most accessible consumer operating system.
They're adapting to niches quite nicely, as well.
I'm yet to a see a GPL-related lawsuit actually cost Microsoft any damage as opposed to merely stopping one of their assaults on the linux codebase. Linux is fanboyism.