Tag Archive: Suse Linux

Over a year and a half ago, Microsoft and Novell entered into a wide-ranging pact to improve interoperability between SUSE Linux and Windows operating systems and technologies. The agreement made Novell’s SUSE Linux distribution—mainly intended for enterprise customers—the “preferred” version of Linux from Microsoft’s point of view, and involved patent cross-licensing and an agreement not to pursue each others’ customers for patent infringement claims. The agreement came at a time when Microsoft was rattling its patent sabers over technologies included in Linux: eventually, Microsoft informally claimed Linux violated over 200 Microsoft patents; the open source community cried foul, essentially daring Microsoft to take Linux to court over even one such infringment. To date, Microsoft hasn’t taken any legal action.

Earlier this month, Microsoft and Novell inked a wide-ranging agreement through at least the year 2012, with the goal of making Microsoft’s Windows and Novell’s SUSE Linux operating systems work together better. Part of the agreement involves Microsoft and Novell cross-licensing patented technologies to each other.

Since the agreement, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and other company executives have ruffled feathers of the Linux community by asserting the Novell deal is tantamount to an admission that Linux infringes on Microsoft’s intellectual property. The implication may be chilling for businesses and enterprises which depend on Linux: the patent-licensing agreement would make Novell immune from any infringement suits brought against Linux by the deep-pocketed, litigation-hardened Redmond software giant, but the same can’t be said for other Linux providers, including Red Hat.  Read more...

Microsoft and Novell has announced a broad, multi-year agreement to improve interoperability between Microsoft’s Windows operating systems and Novell’s SUSE Linux. Under the deal, the companies will pay each other to cross-license patented technologies and work together to ensure and improve the interoperability of Windows and SUSE Linux—and Microsoft will officially recommend SUSE Linux Enterprise for customers who want both Linux and Windows solutions. The deal will be in place through at least the year 2012, and the companies will create a joint research facility to design and implement new software solutions.  Read more...