From the ‘Legal Linux‘ files:
Microsoft has a bone to pick with Linux and open source software. Since at least 2007, Microsoft has been stating that open source software somehow infringes on Microsoft’s intellectual property.
Remember SCO? They kind of alleged the same thing (though SCO is of the opinion that they own Unix) and went after companies by way of their SCOsource licensing arrangement.
Unlike SCO though, MIcrosoft is still getting companies to buy into their argument that Linux patent protection and/or licensing is something that is needed.
Just this week, Microsoft convinced Japanese hardware vendor I-O Data to sign up for Microsoft patent licensing to protect against Linux patent issues. Over the last three years Microsoft has been successful at getting multiple vendors including Amazon, Novell, Brother International Corp, Fuji Xerox Co. Ltd, Kyocera Mita Corp., LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and TomTom International BV to buy into their argument that they need protection from Linux patent infringement.
SCO was never that successful.
