Free and Open Source software is widely loved by everyone, but unfortunately for Microsoft, they have been yet another reason for lower profits. Now, Microsoft is fighting back by accusing free and open source software community for infringing over 235 patents.
Linux kernel, which directly interacts with the hardware is said to be violating 42 Microsoft patents. Menus and toolbars which build up the Linux’s graphical user interface are found to be violating another 65 Microsoft patents.
On the other side of the story, Novell has signed a deal with Microsoft under which, they’ll have to pay a percentage of revenues to Microsoft upto 2011 or pay a minimum of $40 million to prevent them from getting sued. Dell and Samsung have also signed similar deals with Microsoft.
It is very clear that Microsoft is expecting royalties from the FOSS community, but the FOSS community is made up of hundreds of individuals and companies. Who will pay the royalties?
Via CNN Money
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