Ubuntu, Red Hat ‘Just say NO’ to Microsoft

First Novell, then Xandros and finally Linspire have all done deals with Microsoft to extend the interoperability between Linux and Windows, and to ensure that Microsoft doesn’t sue Novell, Xandros or Linspire users over the alleged 235 patent infringements contained in Linux and open source software.

Speculation was rife on the Internet that two of the Linux world’s stalwarts, Red Hat and Ubuntu, were soon to go down the same path of being embraced and extended out of existence by the forces of Microsoft and their not-so-open Windows, but to the delight of open source and Linux advocates, both companies say ‘no deal’.

Ubuntu, owned by Canonical and headed up by the South African space tourist and billionaire Mark Shuttleworth, has clearly stated in his blog that there are “No negotiations with Microsoft in progress”.

Shuttleworth says that: “We have declined to discuss any agreement with Microsoft under the threat of unspecified patent infringements”, and that “Allegations of ‘infringement of unspecified patents’ carry no weight whatsoever”.

He continues that: “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”.

Shuttleworth does however believe that Microsoft’s ‘stated commitment’ to interoperability between Linux and Windows is a good thing, and says that: “I have no objections to working with Microsoft in ways that further the cause of free software, and I don’t rule out any collaboration with them, in the event that they adopt a position of constructive engagement with the free software community”.

But in regards to the deals done with Novell and the rest, Shuttleworth says that: “I don’t believe that the intent of the current round of agreements is supportive of free software, and in fact I don’t think it’s particularly in Microsoft’s interests to pursue this agenda either. In time, perhaps, they will come to see things that way too”.

Shuttleworth also makes reference to Microsoft Open XML document format, saying it’s just not as good as the ODF format used in Open Office, and implores Microsoft to consider using the ODF standard instead of their own.

In the end, Shuttleworth concludes by saying that: “My goal is to carry free software forward as far as I can, and then to help others take the baton to carry it further”, with his final sentence being that “All the deals announced so far strike me as ‘trinkets in exchange for air kisses’. Mua mua. No thanks”.

Red Hat is likewise unwilling to play Microsoft’s game. In statements provided to CNET, Red Hat said there would be no deal, and that their “standpoint has not changed".

CNET quoted Red Hat’s director of corporate communications Leigh Day as saying that: "We continue to believe that open source and the innovation it represents should not be subject to an unsubstantiated tax that lacks transparency."

So, despite the deals with Novell, Xandros and Linspire, which are now hated by OSS and Linux purists the world over, Linux appears safe thanks to Ubuntu and Red Hat who, at least for now, are more committed than ever to firmly answer ‘untainted Linux’ whenever they are asked ‘Where do you want to go today?’.
Source :http://www.itwire.com.au