Microsoft patent peace--or patent war?

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Zenworks Patents? Defend Active Directory

Novell can't sell the GPL -- it is legally impossible. So what is Microsoft buying?

Zenworks and identity management. Back when I studied for an MCSE the old line Novell engineers would say that Zenworks & Novell's identity management software had better than the latest Microsoft features, "years ago."

Microsoft's press releases and FAQ refer to systems management of real virtualized systems and to identity management. So Microsoft wants Zenworks and wants to be able to defend Active Directory against any patent claims by Novell or a future owner of Novell. That is why Microsoft is paying the upfront money, while retaining an annuity licensing income.

As for Linux, I believe Microsoft wants to use Novell SUSE Linux for "account control." The key accounts are the large PC manufacturers (Dell, HP/Compaq, Lenovo/IBM, Gateway) and large customers (corporations, governments and universities). The kind of users that buy bulk or per PC licenses.

If a PC manufacturer that pays Microsoft a per PC royalty (regardless of whether the PC has Windows or not) wants to ship Linux; Microsoft will probably wind up saying, if you ship SUSE Linux we will credit you the cost of Windows, but if you ship any other Linux, you will have to pay us as if there was a copy of Windows on the machine. Microsoft will use the argument that a non-SUSE version of Linux will just lead to a pirated copy of MS Windows being installed on the PC.

The reason for this is, aside from marketing, is that it is easier to combat piracy with Windows and one other version of Linux (Novell SUSE Linux) than a plethora of mutating Linux distros out there.

I speculate that Microsoft may even have worked out a secret deal (or an obscure part of the public deal) where it gets cc-ed on every Novell SUSE Linux registration.

In terms of technology (beyond patents), look to Microsoft's relationship with Sun's Java language as a analogy. Microsoft will TRY to "embrace and extend" Novell SUSE Linux to the point that Novell SUSE Linux is more compatible with Windows than it is with other Linux versions! Expect push back.

Oracle/Fedora (Red-Hat) is a threat to Microsoft's global account control domination of the PC universe.

Novell SUSE Linux is an accomodation to the fact that Microsoft no longer exists in a world that would accept the model of you can have any operating system you want as long as its called Windows and licensed with a royalty payment to Redmond. Now Steve Ballmer will only require a royalty payment to Redmond... and interoperability with Windows.

Jim Callahan
Orlando, FL

Posted by: jimcal80@...   Posted on: 11/04/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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