Red Hat Says They'll Be In Linux Long After Novell

Jane Walker writes "Red Hat general counsel Mark Webbink goes to the mat for his company regarding the Microsoft/Novell partnership, in this SearchOpenSource.com Q&A. 'In one year, Red Hat will be all that remains of commercial Linux, he said.'" From the article: "Between last week and this one, it is clear that the two largest software vendors in the world perceive Linux to be at least on the same plane as them. They have got to respect what we have done. Having said that, does Red Hat think either of them has taken the right approach, now that Microsoft and Novell have made 'Microvell'? They've gone off the road a bit, we think, but we are feeling good about the attention that has been brought to Linux. "

Oh, come on...

[Mikachu]

Do you really have to go and call it 'Microvell'? It's a partnership, not a merger. Don't get them confused.

Re:Red Hat Beats it's own chest

[kripkenstein]

So people who use Novell and Microsoft products are safe, but what about those that choose other products? Will they get sued?

As has been discussed at length in many places in recent days, this doesn't seem likely. To summarize:

1. There is no real 'new' risk to other Linux distros than there was a week ago. Just FUD. Saying "but Novell admit there are patents" isn't a real argument.

2. Microsoft cannot easily crush their competition with patents, because (a) of the risk of antitrust measures, (b) the EU may decide to never allow software patents, once they see such abuse, and (c) other parties, e.g. IBM, which have a great interest in Linux, won't stand by idly, and they have their own patent portfolios (leading to mutually assured destruction for all).

3. Should Microsoft sue (e.g.) Red Hat on some patent, and later on Novell admit that they have a license for the same patent from Microsoft, then they are in violation of the GPL, and Novell's entire Linux line of products is dead in the water. Novell would never put themselves at such risk. So either (a) Microsoft won't sue other people, or (b) Novell won't claim they have a license from Microsoft in the event that they do sue. Note that in the latter case, Novell appear about as protected as Red Hat (which currently indemnify their customers), and no more.

So, in the end, nothing has changed, except for the apparent "gentlemans' arrangement" between Microsoft and Novell not to sue each other. This may appeal to some managers and lead them to choose SUSE, but that is all it is, a little good PR.