__/ [ Geico Caveman ] on Friday 01 June 2007 22:37 \__
> http://gplv3.fsf.org/dd3-faq
>
> "We attack the Microsoft-Novell deal from two angles. First, in the fourth
> paragraph of section 11, the draft says that if you arrange to provide
> patent protection to some of the people who get the software from you, that
> protection is automatically extended to everyone who receives the software,
> no matter how they get it. This means that the patent protection Microsoft
> has extended to Novell's customers would be extended to everyone who uses
> any software Novell distributes under GPLv3.
>
> Second, in the fifth paragraph, the draft says that you are prohibited
> from distributing software under GPLv3 if you make an agreement like the
> Microsoft-Novell deal in the future. This will prevent other distributors
> from trying to make other deals like it."
>
> This essentially stiffs both Novell and Microsoft. Novell cannot dare to
> include GPLv3 software without losing the deal as Microsoft will definitely
> not want its patent protection racket become a free for everyone party. And
> if Microsoft somehow countenanced it, Novell would lose any advantages it
> thought it was gaining by signing the covenant not to sue. So, no matter
> how Microsoft decides, Novell is pretty much f***ed. It can distribute
> GPLv3 software about as freely as a lactose intolerant fellow can dive into
> chocolate milk. This draft has essentially killed the deal without saying
> so.
>
> Microsoft has to sell as many coupons it got from Novell as it can before
> any GPLv3 licensed software appears in Novell's Linux offerings - otherwise
> Microsoft would become a Linux distributor under GPLv3 with all the pride
> and "privileges" that such a status bestows :)
>
> Bailo, your Reuters FUD worked for a day. How many stocks were you able to
> dump before this came out ?
Bailo? Or Jim Finkle? This is amazing. The guy lied not once, but twice!
Clarifications needed to be sought by contacting the FSF, which the media
apparently hates with passion.
--
~~ Best regards
Roy S. Schestowitz | McDonald's does to diet what Microsoft does to PC's
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