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Microsoft Fracturing the Open-Source Community
TechGeek sends us to eWeek, where Mark Shuttleworth is quoted to the effect that Microsoft has succeeded in fracturing the Linux and open-source community with its patent indemnity agreements. Quoting: "Microsoft's strategy was to drive a wedge into the open-source community and unsettle the marketplace, Shuttleworth said. He also took issue with the Redmond, Wash., software maker for not disclosing the 235 of its patents it claims are being violated by Linux and other open-source software. 'That's extortion and we should call it what it is,' he said." Shuttleworth added, "I don't think this will end well for the companies that slipped up and went down that road."
see, the thing is if these companies are so worried about legal implications, they can buy from microsoft. ;)
it is a free world, and opensource isn't for everybody. it wasn't for the faint of heart to begin with
what's the problem if the community values its freedom to have arguments over the adoption of its software
by some schmucks who won't contribute back anyhow?