Well, Microsoft never committed to play fair. The company has entered into two more patent agreements with Fuji and Samsung, as reported by Matthew Aslett. As ever, Microsoft doesn't actually say there are any IP infringement problems with Linux (there aren't, at least, no more than Microsoft has in its own products), but rather uses these cross-licensing deals, innocuous and common in and of themselves, to hint Well, Microsoft never committed to play fair. The company has entered into two more patent agreements with Fuji and Samsung, as reported by Matthew Aslett. As ever, Microsoft doesn’t actually say there are any IP infringement problems with Linux (there aren’t, at least, no more than Microsoft has in its own products), but rather uses these cross-licensing deals, innocuous and common in and of themselves, to hint at IP infringement.Wink. Wink. Nudge. Nudge. Know what I mean?Through the agreement, Samsung will obtain access to Microsoft patents that may be practiced in a range of Samsung’s existing and future product lines, such as computer products, set-top boxes, digital media players, camcorders, televisions, printers and home appliances. In these product lines, Samsung and its distributors and customers may utilize Microsoft’s patents in Samsung’s products with proprietary software, and Samsung will also obtain coverage from Microsoft for its customers’ use of certain Linux-based products…. Neither [announcement] actually state[s] that Linux contains Microsoft’s intellectual property, but they continue to associate the open source operating system with Microsoft’s intellectual property. It’s a fair assumption that maintaining the association is the main reason for mentioning Linux in the announcements, given that must be countless other technologies involved that do not get a specific mention.Bingo. I suspect that Microsoft has no intention of litigating against anyone for using Linux – that would be like suing the entire planet, and wouldn’t endear the company to anyone. So, instead, expect the company to continue its whisper campaign against Linux, and to continue to try to get foolish ISVs and IHVs to join its patent bandwagon. All in the name of protecting people from the evils of Linux. Now here’s an idea: Novell has patents that go right to the heart of Microsoft’s precious Office business. Novell could call Microsoft’s bluff on this patent charade and regain some credibility in the open source world. Actually, IBM could do the same. And Sun. These vendors each depend heavily on the future success of open source. Putting a full frontal assault on Microsoft’s subversive attempts to discredit Linux would be a great way to do this. (Yes, I know Sun does not necessarily love Linux, but if Microsoft were to succeed with Linux, don’t you think that the rest of the LAMP stack would be next? And then OpenOffice, or anything that poses a real threat to the company’s business?) Open Source