In a nutshell, says this article, the problem isn’t with
intellectual property rights as much as it is plain old filthy
lucre: Linux threatens .NET thanks to its gains on the server side,
and Free Software in general threatens to upset Microsoft’s
upcoming licensing schemes.
“This could make open-source Linux’s GPL more
attractive to some customers feeling trapped by the price hike,
Gillen said. “Offering this form of ‘upgrade protection’ may
motivate some users to seriously consider alternatives to Microsoft
technology.”Ray Bailey, information services manager at the Bergquist
Company, said a recent meeting with Microsoft changed the
technology direction of his company, which manufactures electronic
components and other goods.“Our IS team agreed that, due to Microsoft’s changing of the
licensing rules and the manner in which they have given our us
less-than-adequate time to process those changes, we are seriously
looking at other platforms,” he said. “Linux is a strong contender
for our next server because of the low-cost nature of the
licensing.””