Spy @ Bink.nu reports: In a move that hardly has me falling off my chair with surprise, a group of Linux supporters have issued an open challenge to Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer to "Show Us The Code".
The issue stems from Ballmers' claims that some components of Linux infringe on Microsofts' intellectual property. The "Show Us The Code" website is challenging Microsoft to actually disclose the portions of code they believe Linux has copied. If Microsoft does disclose the infringing code then, this site claims, the Linux community will actually remove and/or re-write it to comply with IP rights.
Something tells me Microsoft will not be accepting this challenge anytime soon.
News source: Bink
The issue stems from Ballmers' claims that some components of Linux infringe on Microsofts' intellectual property. The "Show Us The Code" website is challenging Microsoft to actually disclose the portions of code they believe Linux has copied. If Microsoft does disclose the infringing code then, this site claims, the Linux community will actually remove and/or re-write it to comply with IP rights.
Something tells me Microsoft will not be accepting this challenge anytime soon.
News source: Bink
Then that is as good as an admission to Ballmer's FUD. It is not MS responsibility to promote the growth of the competition, but if they are making wild accusations that are designed to hurt others, they need to put their money where their pie-hole is.
Last edited by lbmouse on 26 Feb 2007 - 14:17
So, "Show us the Patents" would be more accurate. The message is the same, though. Show the Open Source community where you believe infringement exists (either directly, or through court action) and let the infringement be removed.
But, of course, we all know that having a "legally clean and blessed by Microsoft" Linux would not benefit Microsoft at all. And that, my friends, is what this is all about. Generate Fear of being sued by Microsoft, Uncertainty of the legality of running Linux, and Doubt about any product without a Microsoft logo.
So, "Show us the Patents" would be more accurate. The message is the same, though. Show the Open Source community where you believe infringement exists (either directly, or through court action) and let the infringement be removed.
But, of course, we all know that having a "legally clean and blessed by Microsoft" Linux would not benefit Microsoft at all. And that, my friends, is what this is all about. Generate Fear of being sued by Microsoft, Uncertainty of the legality of running Linux, and Doubt about any product without a Microsoft logo.
When they say 'show us the code' they are referring to code within opensource licenced software that violates Microsoft patents.
Obviously if Microsoft claims there are violations, they must also must know which projects and exactly what technology is in violation of patents in the said application.
It is nothing more than a sad attempt to screw money out by claiming something that may or may not exist by merely using marketing force and banking on end user ignorance and stupidity into believing that there is some sort of violation.
SCO couldn't show the code in Linux kernel which violated their copyright and neither will Microsoft be able to prove any patent violation because the simple fact is, Balmer opened his mouth before putting his brain into gear.
Get Oprah asking. Get an op-ed piece in the Washington Post (or maybe Forbes at a stretch). Get a government minister of a First-World country to raise the question publicly (so law-lords take note). Get Bono! Something seismic, otherwise the world sees nothing but a hissy-fit between business rivals.
If you can think of anyone who fits the bill and might actually give a ****, write to them.
It's actually quite the opposite. Microsoft is hurting right now, mainly do to all the hardware dumped in the Xbox 360's and selling them off for such a low, affordable price. Not to mention, the price of Vista proves they are in dire need of cash. Bill Gates may be one of the richest men in the world, but that doesn't mean Microsoft is the wealthiest company in the world.
Linux developers aren't in the same boat right now. Sure, the majority of Linux operating systems are free, but there are lots of donations that go to Linux developers, as well as support from various companies. A lot of "games" may not have Linux support, but a lot of companies back Linux developers, and they make their funds like that -- a lot of studd is designed on Linux-based machines. They also aren't dealing with a lot of third party things that also eat up funds.
It's actually quite the opposite. Microsoft is hurting right now, mainly do to all the hardware dumped in the Xbox 360's and selling them off for such a low, affordable price. Not to mention, the price of Vista proves they are in dire need of cash. Bill Gates may be one of the richest men in the world, but that doesn't mean Microsoft is the wealthiest company in the world.
Linux developers aren't in the same boat right now. Sure, the majority of Linux operating systems are free, but there are lots of donations that go to Linux developers, as well as support from various companies. A lot of "games" may not have Linux support, but a lot of companies back Linux developers, and they make their funds like that -- a lot of studd is designed on Linux-based machines. They also aren't dealing with a lot of third party things that also eat up funds.
! LOL
Puh-lease.
The intention seem to have been to make a claim that's impossible to verify (because MS has refused to clarify what they're talking about), to cause uncertainty and doubt about using the Linux codebase.
As for why they didnt follow up on it wasnt it just a small exert from an interview or speech or something. Microsoft NEVER made a deal of it including ballmer. Its the global blogging community thats made this small claim seem like MS have a huge issue with Linux or something. In the end this article is just some stupid baiting by a few linux followes to stir people up.
If anything, Microsoft is one of the biggest violators of copyright infringement than any other company -- copying an operating system in the entirty causing the original developer to completely re-develop their operating system from ground up instead of wasting time to take them to court.
I would as well like to see Microsoft prove that Linux developers are violating copyright rules and using code from the Windows codebase -- the sad thing is, they can't, because there is no Linux developer that would use that crappy code in the Windows codebase.
A company that has been busted numerous times for this sort of thing really has no room to be complaining.
Last edited by MrCobra on 26 Feb 2007 - 18:50
In that case, I hope MS isn't charging them for anything special either. They can't go on about making claims without being able to point at even fragments of code Linux may be using. It also escapes me what kind of code Linux may even be using. It's hard for the Linux community to do anything special here as long as they hear nothing specific of it from MS.
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