Comment: Microsoft's latest Linux offensive is an enormous blunder

 

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Posted on 16 Jan 2007 at 15:30

There's also little evidence to suggest Microsoft will succeed if it tries to sue Linux distributors and their customers. Software patents are difficult to enforce, as SCO is discovering in its bid to sue IBM for allegedly breaching its copyright in Big Blue's contribution to Linux. The judge presiding over the SCO case chided the company for failing to provide exact details of the code it claims has been stolen. 'SCO's arguments are akin to SCO telling IBM: 'Sorry, we aren't going to tell you what you did wrong because you already know,' Judge Brooke Wells said. 'It would be absurd for a
[police] officer to tell the accused: 'You know what you stole and I'm not telling.' And despite numerous challenges to do so, Ballmer is yet to provide any specific examples of the alleged Windows theft.

And so the ball remains in Microsoft's court. Will it pursue a lengthy court battle against Linux vendors in which the only winner is likely to be Microsoft's
over-worked lawyers? Or will Ballmer realise that Microsoft and the industry would be better served with co-operation, not litigation? I suspect cuddly Steve will prove not to be as friendly as he appears on stage. Come back Bill, all is forgiven.

Author: Barry Collins, PC Pro News & Features Editor