Ubuntu won't join the FUD wagon

The blogosphere was abuzz recently with rumors about the next Microsoft Patent FUD collaborator/victim. All eyes were on Ubuntu which has gained immense popularity in the past year as a Linux Distro.

Mark Shuttleworth CEO of Canonical slammed the door on that rumor in his blog posting recently. In addition, Mark didn't mince any words or softpedal on his take regarding the recent Novell/ Xandros /Linspire type deals.

We have declined to discuss any agreement with Microsoft under the threat of unspecified patent infringements.
Allegations of “infringement of unspecified patents” carry no weight whatsoever. We don’t think they have any legal merit, and they are no incentive for us to work with Microsoft on any of the wonderful things we could do together. A promise by Microsoft not to sue for infringement of unspecified patents has no value at all and is not worth paying for. It does not protect users from the real risk of a patent suit from a pure-IP-holder (Microsoft itself is regularly found to violate such patents and regularly settles such suits). People who pay protection money for that promise are likely living in a false sense of security.

I couldn't have said it any better. Thank you Mr. Shuttleworth for having some cojones in calling a spade a spade.

LG joins the FUD brigade

Microsoft has now signed up LG for a "Patent Swap" agreement and of course they just HAD to mention that it included use of "patented Microsoft technology" in its products, including Linux-based devices.

As in the Novell deal Microsoft ends up actually paying a net sum in the swap but that will soon be lost in the propaganda blitz. And to no ones surprise

Microsoft did not detail just what patents LG was licensing, and LG did not say if its Linux-based devices violated any Microsoft patents.

I hate to advocate a new software "cold war", but I am so tempted to wish for someone like Red Hat or the OIN to start signing up Microsoft customers for a "patent pact". Fight FUD with FUD. Make vague unsubstantiated claims about how Windows and other Microsoft software violates OIN patents (which they probably do) but refuse to detail which ones. The FOSS community can make the same claims as MS that is not interested in litigation, just wanting to "build bridges".

Divide and Conquer

And another one has caved. Microsoft has signed a Novell like deal with Xandros. Part of the deal - the usual FUD line of "Patent Protection". Another opportunity for Ballmer et. al. to go screaming out to the world saying "See! we told you Linux was violating our precious IP patents".

Xandros went for the quick buck. They were floundering as a distro and as most ethically challenged companies do, they decided to sell out. Biting the hand that feeds you is NEVER profitable in the long run. But CEOs and shareholders don't care about that.

Of course this is just another simple "divide and conquer" ploy by Microsoft. When developers ditch Xandros, Microsoft is not going to come to their rescue. Just ask SCO. But it is one more "failed" Linux company that Bill Hilf can point to in their next "get the facts/FUD" campaign.

I said this about Novell before. Make a deal with the devil and you will surely pay. The only way to stop this nonsense is for FOSS developers to quit working with Microsoft. If you keep believing their lies about "building bridges", the only one you are hurting is yourselves, and the FOSS community that has made you what you are.