SFLC Says Microsoft Violated the GPL

After Microsoft donated driver code to the Linux kernel under the GPLv2, stories surfaced that they had done so under duress of already being in violation of the GPL. Microsoft quickly denied that any GPL violation was a driver for their decision to donate the code; the company's senior director of platform strategy, Sam Ramji, said at the time: "Microsoft's decision was not based on any perceived obligations tied to the GPLv2 license." Now the Software Freedom Law Center confirms that Microsoft was indeed in violation of the GPLv2 when it distributed its Hyper-V Linux Integration Components without providing source code. Community members led by Greg Kroah-Hartman contacted the company and coached them through the process of getting compliant. Microsoft now says that they had already been on the path for several months toward releasing the software under GPLv2 before Kroah-Hartman got in touch.

Comments

Remember kids, if you're using Microsoft software

[A beautiful mind]

If you're using Microsoft software or doing business with Microsoft, you are at risk, you might be sued for IP violations! Do not forget to pay your $699 GNU license fee you Windows using faggots!

(No, I'm not serious but man! It feels good to throw a piece of FUD right back at the sender and remember some old /. troll in the process...)

Re:AGAIN?

[rliden]

This is because there are many people it seems, including slashdot itself, who don't want Microsoft to comply with the GPL. They don't want Microsoft to encourage open development. There is blood in the water and it's a "news" feeding frenzy. There is no win. There is nothing Microsoft can do that will make them happy. If Microsoft released their entire codebase, re-licensed under GPL 3, tomorrow it still wouldn't be good enough. If Microsoft went away tomorrow it wouldn't change how some people feel; they would just find another "evil entity" as the new target.

What purpose is there is trying to work together, promote interoperability, and offer choice? I'm beginning to see that there is no reason. This isn't about open software and making sure developers aren't shut out. It's about revenge and crushing the opponent so they can be on top. It is disappointing to say the least.