Microsoft's Battle with TomTom: Shape of Things to Come?
Microsoft's current patent suit against navigation software maker TomTom has caused quite a stir in the Open Source arena and might turn into a wave of MS attacks on Linux.
Three of the five patents challenged by Microsoft concern Linux technology, as we covered in a recent article. In the past, Microsoft has got the Open Source community's dander up by claiming that Open Source had violated as many as 235 of its patents. No doubt this claim comprises a part of Microsoft's cooperative agreements with Novell, Xandros and others. No wonder that Microsoft's actions, despite their recent cozying up, has led to to some worry in the community.
Linux Foundation CE Jim Zemlin wants things to calm down. In his blog, he continues, "hope for the best, plan for the worst." He takes the stand that Microsoft's claim against TomTom is currently limited to "a private dispute between those entities concerning GPS mapping software." He goes on, "We do not feel assumptions should be made about the scope or facts of this case and its inclusion, if any, of Linux-related technology." Microsoft corporate VP Horacio Gutierrez, responsible for licensing, allegedly concurs with Zemlin that the lawsuit doesn't specifically target Linux. Furthermore, it is Zemlin's "sincere hope that Microsoft will realize that cases like these only burden the software industry and do not serve their customers’ best interests."
Should the lawsuit take a different turn, Zemlin sees the Linux Foundation as well prepared in that it is "working closely with our partner the Open Invention Network, and our members, and is well prepared for any claims against Linux."
Pamela Jones, editor of the Groklaw website, adds, "I'll restrict myself for now to two quick words: Think Bilski." The landmark Bilski case was handed down by a U.S. court of appeals in the fall of 2008 as a safeguard against frivolous patents. Jones sees the Microsoft lawsuit as a chance to clear up the patent situation once and for all. She writes, "Are Microsoft's FAT patents *hardware* patents? No? Then what makes you assume they are valid in the post-Bilski world?" Unlike the Linux Foundation's Zemlin, she wouldn't give Microsoft so much of the benefit of the doubt: "And to all those who insist that Microsoft has improved, and they should be treated just like anybody else, and included in Linux conferences and all that blah blah blah,... ask yourself: Have I lost my cotton-pickin' mind?"
Despite Microsoft's overtures to Open Source and promises for cooperation, probably the best witness is Steve Ballmer himself. At a recent Microsoft investors meeting he clearly indicated that Linux has become one of its strongest competitors.
Comments
comments powered by DisqusSubscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
![Learn More](https://www.linux-magazine.com/var/linux_magazin/storage/images/media/linux-magazine-eng-us/images/misc/learn-more/834592-1-eng-US/Learn-More_medium.png)
News
-
TUXEDO Computers Releases InfinityBook Pro 14 Gen9 Laptop
Sporting either AMD or Intel CPUs, the TUXEDO InfinityBook Pro 14 is an extremely compact, lightweight, sturdy powerhouse.
-
Google Extends Support for Linux Kernels Used for Android
Because the LTS Linux kernel releases are so important to Android, Google has decided to extend the support period beyond that offered by the kernel development team.
-
Linux Mint 22 Stable Delayed
If you're anxious about getting your hands on the stable release of Linux Mint 22, it looks as if you're going to have to wait a bit longer.
-
Nitrux 3.5.1 Available for Install
The latest version of the immutable, systemd-free distribution includes an updated kernel and NVIDIA driver.
-
Debian 12.6 Released with Plenty of Bug Fixes and Updates
The sixth update to Debian "Bookworm" is all about security mitigations and making adjustments for some "serious problems."
-
Canonical Offers 12-Year LTS for Open Source Docker Images
Canonical is expanding its LTS offering to reach beyond the DEB packages with a new distro-less Docker image.
-
Plasma Desktop 6.1 Released with Several Enhancements
If you're a fan of Plasma Desktop, you should be excited about this new point release.
-
SUSE Offers CentOS 7 Support with Liberty Linux Lite
SUSE's Liberty Linux support offering now includes CentOS 7, which means businesses won't be forced to migrate those servers for some time.
-
Ubuntu's App Center Finally Supports Local Installs Again
If you regularly download .deb files and would prefer a GUI method of installing, Ubuntu has your back.
-
AlmaLinux Now Supports Raspberry Pi 5
If you're looking to create with the Raspberry Pi 5 and want to use AlmaLinux as your OS, you're in luck because it's now possible.
battle
Many of its members have committed to open source & this would be seen as a threat to free trade in information sharing.