Microsoft Cites Success of Novell Linux Interop Deal

“Microsoft touted its operating system interoperability
partnership with Novell on Monday, saying that more than 500
customers have signed up since the program began more than three
years ago.

“The program does more than just ensure that Windows and Novell
SuSE Linux Enterprise play well together in heterogeneous computing
environments. It also ensures that users of SuSE Linux Enterprise
don’t violate Microsoft’s patents, providing users with so-called
intellectual property (IP) “peace of mind.”

“When announced in November 2006, the program was denounced
furiously by the open source community. A Microsoft official later
claimed in May 2007 that Linux violates 235 of Microsoft’s patents.
However, the company has never been specific about what patents are
involved.”

Complete Story