Novell,MS and Xen

[Bill Sconce]

On Fri, 10 Nov 2006 10:35:38 -0500
Paul Lussier <p.lussier at comcast.net> wrote:

> How about a Linux-based commercial product which uses Samba
> to share out file systems to Windows clients...

Speaking of Samba, the Samba team itself has published this comment
on the Novell/Microsoft deal.

-Bill

_______________________________________________________________________
    http://news.samba.org/announcements/team_to_novell/

    12 November 2006
    Samba Team Asks Novell to Reconsider

    The Samba Team disapproves strongly of the actions taken by Novell
    on November 2nd.

    One of the fundamental differences between the proprietary software
    world and the free software world is that the proprietary software
    world divides users by forcing them to agree to coercive licensing
    agreements which restrict their rights to share with each other,
    whereas the free software world encourages users to unite and share
    the benefits of the software.

    The patent agreement struck between Novell and Microsoft is a
    divisive agreement. It deals with users and creators of free 
    software differently depending on their "commercial" versus
    "non-commercial" status, and deals with them differently depending
    on whether they obtained their free software directly from Novell
    or from someone else.

    The goals of the Free Software community and the GNU GPL allow for
    no such distinctions.

    Furthermore, the GPL makes it clear that all distributors of GPL'd
    software must stand together in the fight against software patents.
    Only by standing together do we stand a chance of defending against
    the peril represented by software patents. With this agreement
    Novell is attempting to destroy that unified defense, exchanging
    the long term interests of the entire Free Software community for
    a short term advantage for Novell over their competitors.

    For Novell to make this deal shows a profound disregard for the
    relationship that they have with the Free Software community. We
    are, in essence, their suppliers, and Novell should know that they
    have no right to make self serving deals on behalf of others which
    run contrary to the goals and ideals of the Free Software community.

    Using patents as competitive tools in the free software world is
    not acceptable. Novell, as a participant in numerous debates, 
    discussions and conferences on the topic knew this to be the case.
    We call upon Novell to work with the Software Freedom Law Center
    to undo the patent agreement and acknowledge its obligations as
    a beneficiary of the Free Software community.