Microsoft and Xandros

Hi Everyone:

Microsoft is making another deal.

Tony
***
Reference: Associated Press

Microsoft strikes deal with Linux distributor

June 5, 2007 - 6:20AM

Microsoft says it will share technology with Linux
distributor Xandros, the latest in a string of deals
meant to help the patent-protected Windows operating
system work more smoothly with open-source programs.

Under the terms of the agreement, New York-based
Xandros, which makes and distributes open-source
desktop and server software, will license server code
from Microsoft and develop software tools that work
with Microsoft's systems.

The companies also will work on technology to
translate between two types of documents,
Microsoft-developed OpenXML format and the Open
Document Format. That could improve interoperability
between Microsoft's Office software and open-source
rivals.

Microsoft also said in a statement it will endorse
Xandros Server and Desktop programs as a preferred
Linux distribution.

Key to the agreement is a clause that protects Xandros
customers from running afoul of Microsoft's legal
machine for patent infringement. A growing number of
companies and government agencies rely on elements of
both Microsoft's Windows and various versions of Linux
to run their office networks, but fear being sued by
the software maker, which claims open-source software
infringes on hundreds of its patents.

Financial terms of the arrangement weren't disclosed.

The Linux server software segment is dominated by Red
Hat and Novell, Xandros' share of that worldwide
market is so small that research group IDC doesn't
track it.

Xandros captured less than 1 percent of the desktop
Linux operating system market in 2006, according to
IDC, far behind big players like Red Flag Software
Co., based in China, and Turbolinux Inc. in Japan.

The deal with Xandros is similar to one Microsoft
struck with Novell last November. It sparked
considerable outcry from some open-source programmers,
who make all of their code - and any software that
includes their code - available without charge to
users and other developers.

Free software proponents argued that under the public
license governing Novell's code, Microsoft must give
up patent claims on its software if it makes
exceptions for some customers.

In a May filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, Novell noted that Microsoft could
conceivably back out of the deal to avoid extending
its patent covenants to a broader range of recipients.

AP
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Received on Sun Jun 10 15:04:02 2007