Isolationism

Anyone watching the news has no doubt long-since encountered the news of Novell entering a “protective covenant” with Microsoft to essentially line Novell’s pockets in exchange for “protection” against patent infringement suits from Microsoft, because according to them, Linux infringes on many of their patents, and Ballmer has made a lot of noise (read: FUD) about how Microsoft is going to start to pursue legal action to protect them. It smacks more of posturing tactics to me; kind of like how they got caught red-handed lining SCO’s pockets through investment intermediary BayStar Capital, except this time they’re operating overtly instead of covertly.

Incidentally, it was Open Source Software pundit Bruce Perens who submitted the BusinessWeek article linked to above to Slashdot, and who is again crying foul—this time on Novell’s recent pact with Microsoft.

I know from looking at site statistics that most of my audience are not Linux users—at least not for browsing. However, you don’t have to be a Linux user or even an advocate to support this cause; all software is in jeopardy regardless of where it is used as this deal threatens any development that could be covered by a patent, including software (free or commercial) that you take for granted now.

I encourage you to consider signing Bruce’s open letter to Novell, Protest the Microsoft-Novell Patent Agreement, or reading the related post on Technocrat if you wish to discuss more. Bruce maintains the site and is watching the discussion so may be able to answer questions you have for him.

Thank you for your time, I’ll get off my soapbox and back to my regularly scheduled trivialities, now.