Does Linux Violate Microsoft Patents?

Microsoft claims open source software violates more than 200 of its patents, according to an article in Fortune. The online world is now buzzing about that article… wondering if Microsoft will pursue royalties from open source companies and their customers. Hmmm. The VAR Guy was just about to buy a Dell PC with Ubuntu Linux. Will he wind up paying a royalty to Microsoft?

You can read the Fortune article here. And for some great analysis, check out Mary Jo Foley’s perspective here.

As for The VAR Guy, he still plans to purchase a Dell PC with Ubuntu Linux as soon as it’s available. Plenty of other bloggers also plan to purchase Dell PCs with Ubuntu. Even if Linux contains patented Microsoft technology–a claim that Microsoft still needs to back up–the open source operating system is immune to all of the security problems facing the world of Windows.

Meanwhile, The VAR Guy wonders if Novell will benefit or suffer from Microsoft’s patent claims. On the one hand, customers may be inclined to purchase Novell’s SuSE Linux since Novell signed an agreement that protects it from Microsoft’s legal claims. But on the other hand, many open source customers and developers continue to criticize Novell for hitching its wagon to Redmond.