Microsoft on Free and Open Source Software

“We have to spend a lot of money to make sure the openness of C#
is well understood and that it is accepted at a level that allows
our innovations to have traction. […] The strength of this
platform and the innovation around it is the key element in
preventing commodization by Linux, our installed base and Network
Appliance vendors.
– 2001 “Highly Confidential” Email

“Software written in universities should be free software. But
it shouldn’t be GPL software. GPL software is like this thing
called Linux, where you can never commercialize anything around it;
that is, it always has to be free.
– Government Leader’s Conference, Seattle, 2002

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