Linux and open-source supporters challenge Microsoft to sue them
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Microsoft had earlier said in a controversial statement that open-source software violate 235 patents owned by Microsoft. In a bizarre turn of events, angry, protesting users of Linux and other open-source software have given out their names and are now challenging Microsoft to sue them.
The angry Linux supporters putting up names, the open-source OSes and software they use, along with frequently snarky comments on public wiki and forums. It has been a success, and the list is growing rapidly from 250 people on Tuesday.
Microsoft’s response has been eagerly awaited. But they seem to have no immediate plans to go to court. They are encouraging companies to pay licensing fee for its IP(intellectual property). Open-source advocates find this rather suspicious, as they claim that this is a ploy by Microsoft to pocket some licensing fee, and discourage hardware vendors like Dell from using Linux OSes.
Microsoft has only said that the violations involve kernel and user interface and some add-ons. Linux users say that they want Microsoft to lay down solid proof before paying up.
