Novell and Microsoft's software patent agreement betrays the rest of the Free Software community, including the very people who wrote Novell's own system, for Novell's sole financial benefit. Join Bruce Perens in signing an open letter to Novell's CEO Ron Hovsepian. (traducción al español [Spanish])
Please Add Your Signature. 3492 people have added their signatures to this document.
To Mr. Hovsepian,
The Open Source community would find little to criticize in your agreement with Microsoft, had it remained a strictly financial and technical agreement. As the agreement stands today, it betrays the authors of the software you re-market and their users worldwide for Novell's sole commercial benefit.
The covenant of the GPL is that in the face of a software patent aggressor we must all hang together, lest we each hang separately. Novell accepted that covenant when you chose to include the Linux kernel, the GNU C library, and hundreds of additional works created at no charge to Novell by individuals in the Free Software community and licensed under the GPL.
It is abundantly clear that Novell and Microsoft took the time to engineer a circuitous legal path of issuing covenants to each other's customers, rather than licenses to each other, in order to circumvent Novell's earlier agreement with the community of GPL software developers.
In your defense, you offer that Novell has not acknowledged that Linux infringes upon Microsoft's patents. Let's be truthful about software patents: there can be no non-trivial computer program, either proprietary or Free, that does not use methods that are claimed in software patents currently in force and unlicensed for use in that program. There are simply enough patents, on enough fundamental principles, to make this so. If all software patents were enforced fully, the software industry would grind to a halt.
Of course software patents are less than fully enforced, and what we have is a sort of shake-down racket in which tremendous attorney fees and damages are routinely extorted. Open Source communities and medium-sized enterprises can be legally prevented from participating in the industry simply because they can not afford the price of justice, between three and five Million dollars to defend a case.
Several years ago, attorney Daniel Ravicher, now of the Software Freedom Law Center, reported finding 283 patents with claims that could read on the Linux kernel. That kernel represents only a few percent of the overall collection of software in Novell/SuSE Linux. It is likely that there are many thousands of unlitigated potential infringements within the entire Novell system. Only a minority of those patents are owned by Microsoft, your recent agreement does nothing to defend you from the others. Most troubling are the patents owned by "patent trolls", companies that produce no products other than patents and thus can not be deterred by patent counter-threats from organizations like OIN. Microsoft has invested in at least one explicit "troll" company, which can use its patents offensively as a proxy of Microsoft without exposing Microsoft to counter-suits, anti-trust issues, or Microsoft's agreement with Novell.
In the face of this threat, not only to Free Software but to the small and medium-sized proprietary software companies that make up 80% of the software economy worldwide, Novell chose to act selfishly and take the money. One-third Billion dollars is a strong inducement.
Your open letter to the community mis-represents Novell's software patenting policy. At a Brussels meeting that I attended including EU Member-of-Parliament Arlene McCarthy, Novell's stance was that the company was for enforcible software patenting in the EU but against the particular bill being considered at that time. This stance does not consider that increased enforcement of software patents remains a potential complete show-stopper for Free Software, from Novell or anyone else. You, Mr. Hovsepian, reiterated Novell's support for strong software patent protection on a panel that I chaired at the AlwaysOn conference this summer.
The text of your agreement with Microsoft has not been released, and perhaps not all of it is even on paper. But we know that Microsoft has bought your cooperation. No doubt we will now see Novell at Microsoft's side in political venues, representing Linux, asking legislators for stronger software patent protection that has the potential to harm or even end Open Source. This is unacceptable. If Novell is to benefit from the Free Software community, Novell should be working to make it safe for everyone to write and use software.
There are serious questions regarding how Novell intends to go on with its business. Developers are jumping ship. The very software that you sell is owned by parties who are now hostile to your company. The C library, essential to run every program on your system, is the property of the Free Software Foundation, which will surely relicense that library to LGPL 3. The leading developer of that library is a Red Hat employee. It's already been announced that GPL and LGPL 3 will contain terms that make it untenable to use while your patent agreement with Microsoft stands.
The Samba software and hundreds of other programs will probably go a similar path. The Novell-Microsoft agreement has even had the power to make the Linux kernel developers and the large companies that support them take a fresh look at GPL 3. In the face of these changes, Novell will probably be stuck with old versions of the software, under old licenses, with Novell sustaining the entire cost and burden of maintaining that software. Novell will have to maintain its customers on old versions while the community takes GPL 3 versions of the same software into the future.
In short, now that Novell has chosen not to hang together with the Free Software community, we've chosen not to do so with you.
There is really only one path out of this corner for Novell. Go on with your technical collaboration, and keep the money. But Novell must now direct Microsoft to refrain from granting covenants to Novell's users unless they will apply to everyone equally. Hang together with the Free Software community by changing your software patent stance from one of monopoly rights for Novell to one of support for legislation that will make it safe for all of us to create, distribute, and use software.
Bruce Perens, creator of Electric Fence and Busybox, two programs that are important to Novell Linux and are covered by the GPL.
Note from Ralph Warren Siegler: As a long time systems architect, engineer, developer and administrator involved with Novell products since Netware 286 and also as one who has implemented and used SuSE solutions since 2002, I am very disappointed in Novell for putting the wondrous technical and social achievement that is GNU/Linux in danger.
Note from Michael T Hasse: We are a Novell authorised reseller. Our immediate responses upon hearing of this deal were, "Novell's legal team should be fired", and, "we can no longer recommend Novell products". On a personal note, I have been a Novell proponent since Netware v2.15 but this is the end of the line for me. Sincerely, Michael Hasse
Note from jay mason: Both Microsoft and Novell are ultimately applying a "kill switch" to ingenuity.
Note from D. Hensley: A company, much like a program, is often best judged by it's error correction routines. Now would be a very good time to review your error correction methods - it will show the worth, or the lack thereof, of Novell/SUSE - and without the slightest doubt determine the future viability of Novell.
Note from Robert Dionne: As a daily user of emacs for over 20 years, it's hard to quantify how much I've benefited from the free software and open source software communities, both intellectually and financially. I stand with the gnus and the penguins.
Note from Roy Schestowitz: Help SuSE survive the wrath of naive shareholders.
Note from Pieter Hintjens: People who do deals with Microsoft rarely live long enough to regret it.
Note from Arnim Rupp: In 2003 I wondered if it is a good thing that Novell bought Suse. Now I know it wasn't, the old Suse-Management would never have agreed to such a pact.
Note from Fred Grott: You, Novell, have guaranteed that I will never will go back on my choice of Debian Linux/GNU for SUSE. I will never use Novell products again for any reason.
Note from Jeffrey Rollin: I couldn't have said it better than Pieter Hintjens and Arnim Rupp, who (just to reiterate the point, and in reverse order): In 2003 I wondered if it is a good thing that Novell bought Suse. Now I know it wasn't, the old Suse-Management would never have agreed to such a pact... People who do deals with Microsoft rarely live long enough to regret it.
Note from Jeffrey Vernon Merkey: Since I have a covenant not to sue with novell in a settlement agreement, I already have a patent crosslicense from Novell (and MS for that matter) and am immune to claims from either of them on patents with open source projects I sponsor, however, I disagree with Novell's dishonest stance in this matter, and Novell should walk away from Linux and promote NetWare if that's your choice. If Novell wants to sleep with Microsoft, be honest about it. Don't perfume the pig with false and misleading statements to the open source community. The Microsoft deal is a good thing for Novell, but long term Novell needs to focus on its own unique direction given this agreement and the opporutnities it represents. I also find it prescient that Novell would execute the very agreement it sued me for 10 years ago with Microsoft when it really could have helped Novell sustain its market share. I have to say this is the biggest hipocrasy I have ever seen. You cannot have it both ways, Novell. Either embrance MS and move forward or get out of Linux. You cannot co-opt Linux into Ballmers 2007 objectives of "kill off Linux" by using the very technology and momentum created by the Linux movement to bouy up Novell's lack of direction and leadership.
Note from Nick Warne: Totally agree.
Note from Grant Johnson: I have been a software developer all of my life. For many years I used SuSE Linux as my primary operating system. I was concerned when they were purchased by Novell. Now I see that my fears were not unfounded. My sincere hope is that Novell was really trying for an interoperability cooperation, and that this current mess is simply because their lawyers were unaware of the workings of the FLOSS community. If this is the case, let us hope that they quickly right the wrong they have committed. Let us all hope for ignorance over malice.
Note from anshuman gholap: This is sco all over again, What sco could not do for all this years and for which IBM,and other went against SCO, Novell has turned tables over and given MS green signal to do it. Common people dont be fool. signup this petition and Novells agreement with MS should be scrapped as soon as possible so we cant go back to normalcy. Anshu. Hostingzoom.com
Note from Stephen Kerr: I have been involved with novell products since intranetware 4.11 and have been been a suse user since 9.0. The very evening I read about novell collecting their 30 pieces of silver, I removed suse 10.0 from my servers and replaced it with fedora. I will not support a company who demonstrates such a high disregard for ethics.
Note from J.L.Francois: -Linux Counter Registered User #8863 1994-12-13 06:39:24
Note from Hal Brodigan: Microsoft is neither our emperor, nor do they have clothes. I shall not bow to their IP tactics.
Note from William J Weber: I find that the Novell-Microsoft aggreement is if anything a dangerous gambit. It stands as a monumental block to the FSF.
Note from Andre Raymond: Microsoft, is a monopoly, it wants to make money off everything. There was and is no need for this Microsoft-Novell Patent agreement, it's not welcomed at all by us in the open source community.
Note from Troels Just: Mr. Hovsepian, either you're with us or against us! We all have to make big choices in life, now you must choose.
Note from Theodore Root Jr.: It is of the utmost importance to me and to my company that a platform exists where we can freely develop software without being forced to pay the Microsoft tax simply for the right to develop and run said software. For years Linux has provided such a haven. Please do not take a short-sighted view on what this agreement means for your company and this community.
Note from Matt Killock: This is another example of an agreement that would require the public to make sacrifices in the pursuit of a public benefit that can and should be produced in the total absence of such sacrifices.
Note from Christopher Turkel: I use GNU and Open Source tools everyday and the Novell/Microsoft deal is an affront to everything I love about software.
Note from David Ballesteros: I have used SuSE Gnu/Linux since version 5.2, it seemed a solid choice to escape microsoft Lock-In and was ready to seriously recommend it to my employer to replace windows with SuSE. Unfortunately, due to Novell's involvement in this maneouver devised by microsoft to undermine software freedom and against the GPL, and the community of users and developers, I cannot recommend it anymore. Hope Novell wisely reconsiders and steers clear of this trap before its too late for them.
Note from Jeff Feige: All I can say is that I'm glad I still use Slackware... :-D Truthfully though, when Novell started their big SLED/SLES 10 push, we (my colleagues and I) discussed how Novell could single-handedly give massive credibility, or seriously hinder, Linux on the desktop. Unfortunately, it looks like they are assisting in the latter.
Note from John M. Bray: I am deeply disappointed with this blatant attempt to get around both the spirit of open source software, and with the letter of the GPL.
Note from ashokpai: i've been a suse user since a couple of years now. it was a good distro, and it continues to be one, unfortunately, the covenants and a needless agreement have a left a bad taste, and despite not wanting to ditch opensuse, i am now forced to look at mandriva or kubuntu. mt hearfelt gratitude and multitude of thanks to the valuable work done by suse & ximian community , and the scores of developers who have worked hard to create the opensuse, one of the best i've used till date. thank you. ...and for those in the management, its sad that you deal with chair throwing 800 pound gorillas for cushy deals, rather than supporting the community!
Note from James Boothe: Good job Novell. You've managed to alienate an entire community that develops the software you sell to make a profit, so that you can make one big quick score from Microsoft. Further in your "open letter to the community" you further insult everyone's intelligence with your "we only did it for your own good" double speak. You've done a fantastic job putting the nail in SUSE's coffin, you'd better hope those Netware sales pick up.
Note from Amir Rehman: It seems like Novell is going to lose a lot of users. There may be more corporate users coming in the future which is certainly a good thing for Novell, but the community is obviously turning its back agains Novell. I am using Ubuntu on my main computer and I used to have Suse on my second computer for testing and getting more experience with another big distro. However this act by Novell/Microsoft made me remove Suse from my computer straight away when I read about their betrayal of the community. It´s sad to see how this distribution is slowly destroying itself. First, the distro became slower and slower by adding in more and more features not everyone needs anyway and just create a bloated system like MS Windows and now they are even making friendships with the "enemy". I know there is a lot of money involved but Novell had a choice. They did the wrong one which they will learn to regret sooner or later. I hope this won´t effect other distros and I am just happy that in the open source/linux world there is a really big choice of distro one may choose. Novell used to be top, now they are one to leave behind... Amir Rehman
Note from Michael Anckaert: At this moment I can only regret the purchase of SuSe by Novell and be happy that I did not waste money nor time on getting certified for Novell products.
Note from Jordan Lane Peacock: Thank you for putting out a well-rounded, supported Linux product. Please don't miss the forest for the trees on this patent issue; it's ludicrous and threatens many of the most dear aspects of this community. In the meanwhile, I will use Debian, Ubuntu, or other distributions and will not recommend Novell until this imbalance is corrected.
Note from Gorden Jemwa: Mr. Hovsepian, the community is anxiously hoping you and Novell regain your senses and do what is right. Burning the very bridges you walk on is BAD enough without having to rope in Ballmer Inc.
Note from Eric Herget: Up until this Patent Agreement fiasco, I have strongly favored SuSE Linux over all others. I'll be installing different distros on my systems this weekend (yeah, Happy Thanksgiving to me from Novell). I'll also explicitly state that technology decisions at the company I work for should avoid Novell products, including SuSE Linux. This is not out of spite or revenge, mind you, just the "big picture perspective" that any activity or effort that supports Novell also negatively impacts the long term benefits of Free Software.
Note from K Cartlidge: Whether you, Novell, believe the community is right or wrong to take offense at your pact with the devil the fact remains that it's opinion must be respected and it's stance against your actions considered carefully. You have no product without the community's labours and should they be with-held by GPL3 you will be left with the choice of either tagging along at Microsoft's heels or retiring to a corner to count your 30 pieces of silver. I hope your actions were well-meaning (time will tell); if not then it may be goodbye to Suse.
Note from Ben Sparks: Novell was foolish to think that Microsoft would sign an agreement that would strengthen any aspect of the GNU/Linux community. Our community is now in a worse position because of this deal.
Note from Gianotti Alessandro: Open Source can't married with the hell's empire, in never case.
Note from Lonnie Mask: I have used SUSE for years, as I found it better than the other versions I had tried. I bought the newest versions just so that I could support the development of SUSE. I recently even installed it on my wife's machine. Now I will be evaluating a new distribution. Even if the software is free sometimes you have to vote with your wallet.
Note from Kevin Williams: I am compelled to wonder what solace Novell will find in its trophy room when they have no customers left. I am not, and have never been, a SuSE Linux user -- but in light of Novell's recent behaviour, I couldn't be bribed into using their products (let alone consider the laughable proposition of paying them for the privilege).
Note from Willem Dijkstra: For now a happy Ubuntu server/desktop admin.
Note from Gil Dror: M$ - the source of all evil
Note from jnautics: Do the right thing or remove all open source software from the Novell offerings.
Note from David Pastern: This mess is why GPL v3 should be critically used throughout the OSS development arena. Novell - you do NOT own GNU/Linux, the community does. You are a member of that community because we allow you to be. Nothing more, and nothing less. Remember that.
Note from Dr. Alain Picard: Free Software is about community, not legalistic fineries. Even if Novell rules the day in court, it will have lost that intangible, but most important, asset: the good will of the community.
Note from Michael Valentine: Past dealings with MS should have been a warning!
Note from Robby Pedrica: I've been providing FOSS services for many years and have actively pushed SLES for customers who require commercially supported solutions ( Slackware for everyone else ). Without any prompting, I've been asked to provide alternate solutions in 2 instances within the last week alone and I'll be giving Red Hat the business. If non-technical customers can see the demerit in what Novell have done, then I have no doubt they ( Novell ) will fail in this endeavour with Microsoft. There was no requirement for Novell to look to protect themselves from Microsoft - everyone would've been for them had they need to defend against a Microsoft offense against FOSS. If Microsoft were truly interested in interoperability, they would be sitting down at the table with Samba, ODF and others.
Note from Diwaker Gupta: I don't know how I'd survive without open source software. Its disappointing (no, disgusting) to see Novell succumb to M$ like this and jeopardize the rest of the F/L-OSS movement.
Note from Nuno Luis de Castro Gonçalves: You will regret this decicion. Your agreement will backfire and Novell will loose market share outside the United States, because you are making an enemy of your potential customer. Back off now, and win back the heart of the comunity... If you don't i'll be forced to discard Suse as an option in my professional activity.
Note from Hasan Kürşat Kösten: Dear Novell, why ally with a corporation whose only aim is killing Linux? How could one benefit from such a partnership? I am starting to cease every solution about SuSE Linux and Novell products immediately.
Note from Doug Kidd: Novell, IMHO you just went from hero to zero.
Note from John Andrus: I am a loyal user of OpenSUSE, and since this deal that you(Novell) have participated in with Microsoft, I am switching distros to another one that isn't in bed with a known patent troll. Let the record say that I won't support anything Novell, when Novell has made ANY deal with Microsoft.
Note from Raphael J. Schmid: This is a shame really. SLES, especially the recent versions are a pretty good product. I won't be able to recommend them to anymore until this has been resolved. Trusting in your ability as a company to doing so.
Note from Stephan Loeffler: I firmly disagree with the Micro$oft-Novell patent.
Note from R. Hart: I actually encouraged users to try you software and have bought copies of Suse myself. No more, I'm done with Suse.
Note from Michael Klein: I was a huge fan of Suse and then openSuse for years, but now I've decided not to support your company. With this agreement, you have turned your back on the rest of the Linux community by deciding to stop giving back to it. This is visible in the form of Mono, which now has more of a patent shadow over it then ever before, and so is unusable by the rest of the community, and in the form of the closed-source endeavors that you have chosen to pursue with Microsoft in the future, instead of attempting to build open-source interoperability solutions that would benefit the rest of the Linux community. It seems you are attempting to hijack products such as OpenOffice and Samba, which were mostly developed outside of your company, by creating closed-source extensions to them so that your versions will be the only viable ones in the future. This is quite simply counter to the entire spirit and point of free software, however legally you may be able to sneak around the GPL to do it. OSS is supposed to be about working as a team, and instead you have decided to turn your back on the very community that made your distribution possible. To top it off, as if your mixed-source (read: lock-in) fantasies weren't enough, you are helping Microsoft spread FUD about Linux's patent liabilities, you are supporting the innovation-stifling concept of software patents, and you are helping to propogate a potential MS patent trap--Mono (which this agreement has now proven to be unsafe). I used to be a true believer in and lover of the Suse/openSuse distro, and I am very disheartened to have to leave it behind. However, I cannot allow myself to support such unethical behavior as yours, which threatens to tear the Linux community apart (and in fact has already done so to a very large extent).
Note from Danny Crane: Sounds like Novell made a deal with the devil to me. I don't like it.
Note from Dan Collis-Puro: I've used Novell products since Netware 3.x. I won't again. This bridge has been burned.
Note from Nico Willemsen: I wonder what the guys at Novell were thinking when signing this agreement? Surely they had to know what a funny crowd we FOSS users are and that we would never accept anything like this. Did you truly not know that we will defend FOSS with all we've got?
Note from Chris Ruschmann: Your Actions with Microsoft make me not want to integrate your products into our Clients portfolio!
Note from George Oldham: You've killed SuSE - what more to say except that the desktops I was about to put Novell Linux up for will now go to Canonical Ubuntu.
Note from Bill McGonigle: It's amazing how Novell has spent years building good will with the Open Source community, got major Linux advocates using SuSE as a matter of pride, and then just smashed it all in one fell swoop with a deal that has never ended well for any company in a similar position. One wonders why Novell thinks it is smarter than everybody else.
Note from Shaun C Marolf: I am sad to say that I can no longer include SuSE as part of my arsenal to build networks. I cannot in good conscious use your products when you have so clearly abandoned the very principles SuSE Linux was built on. Oddly enough I am looking for Microsoft to make their first Patent Lawsuit against linux. I promise that everyone who has a stake in Linux will swoop down upon it and bury Microsoft in litigation. In a sense you did us a favor because this issue will now be decided in a court where we can challenge the software patent law and get it thrown out.
Note from Jordi Ferrando: There is more that just software in dispute now. It is our freedom. As a 36 year-old programmer, 20 years active, suffering so much about closed systems, in particular Microsoft products, the time has come to make a choice: you choose red, you already know the story. Choose blue, the future can be of mankind, not only of companies that try to slave us with chains.
Note from Enrico Biondini: I never used Novell/Suse Linux... I will never use Novell/Suse Linux!
Note from David Mohring: In early 1993, AT&T sold it's UNIX System Laboratories to Novell. Back in April 25, 1994, PC Magazine had an article announcing that Novell Inc was developing a Linux based desktop system for Windows, DOS, NetWare, and Unix applications ( http://groups.google.com/groups?threadm=1994Apr25.151605.293@umr.edu ). After long negotiations with Microsoft, Novell abandoned the "Expose" Linux desktop project. A month later, a group of Novell alumni from the Expose project formed Caldera Systems International with the backing of Novell's founder, Ray Noorda. The Canopy Group, which purchased major holding in Caldera, was also founded by Ray Noorda. In 1995 Novell sub-licensed the remainder of it's Unix technology to the Santa Cruz Operation Inc ( No relation to the SCO Group ). In November 2001, the Santa Cruz Operation sold it's Unix rights under Novell's license agreement to Caldera. In 2003 Caldera Systems International changed it's name to "The SCO GROUP Inc" and entered into a series of essentially inherently flawed lawsuits and fraudulent license claims against users of the Linux operating system based upon rights to the original Unix that have turned out to be still owned by Novell itself. Both IBM and Novell lawyers have repeatedly pointed out to the SCO GROUP that it loses the right to continue to distribute GPL licensed code if it violates the terms of the GPL. Also SCO Group long legal travesty would not have been possible without the direct and indirect financial support from Microsoft. In November 2003, nine years after it had abandoned Linux, Novell purchased one of the leading Linux distributions SUSE. Now three years later in 2006, after a long period of Negoitation Novell has entered into another agreement with Microsoft. This agreement results in Microsoft sales people effectively acting as agents on behalf of Novell by selling "coupons" for SUSE Linux and hyping a limited "promise" from Microsoft not to sue the customer for the so called Microsoft IP included in Linux, Samba, Mono and OpenOffice.org. Any agent acting on behalf of Novell offering a limited coverage "not to sue" represents a clear violation of section seven of the GPL by Novell. As Novell's laywers have repeated pointed out to The SCO Group, you lose right to continue to distribute GPL licensed code if you violate the terms of the GPL. History shows us that the combination of Microsoft and Novell has never been in the long term interests of either Linux or Novell. So to Ron Hovsepian, I say : Please, do not take almost another decade to realise your companies long term interests remain with Linux, open source and continued compliance with its licensing terms. Now is no time for appeasement http://itheresies.blogspot.com/2004_03_01_itheresies_archive.html
Note from Vasileios Anagnostopoulos: You do not need MS mr Novell. I bough SUSE and I had plans to deploy the new version. Now, I will go with OpenSolaris and NetBSD. Do something, you have a great product and give it for free to the satanic MS. Stop now, and push KDE again.
Note from Alexander Lindqvist: Hats off to RedHat and the Truth Happens initiative...
Note from Radu-Cristian Fotescu: I never thought that the most horrendous business deal since Judas' one will be made in the software industry -- and related to Linux! You don't even deserve the increased publicity that your actions provide you. May your business reast in peace -- what a pity you had to buy SuSE, which was a good distro.
Note from Frank J. Cameron: I too am very disappointed by the patent provisions of Novell's agreement. I have long been a supporter, advocate, and customer of Novell's products; but, until this agreement is repudiated I can not in good conscience continue to recommend Novell's solutions.
Note from Kaneri Warren: Novell have committed treason against the Gnu/Linux community and as a result will surely hang. Novell software is being dropped by everyone concerned about Free Software and even if this doesn't kill Novell, Microsoft will. They have done this before. Novell are not strong enough to withstand Microsoft's coercive and absorptive policies alone. This is the end for Novell and sadly will be the end of Suse also.
Note from Mike Harris: Please reconsider this decision. More than your bank account is at stake. A whole industry depends on open source. "PCLinuxOS" Because We Know Where We Are Going Today And Tomorrow
Note from Lincoln Reid: I have been responsible for the decision to use both opensuse and suse enterprise edition for various customers in the past. We were using Redhat prior to the discontinuation of Redhat Linux, and now as a result of this deal we will be moving to different Linux distribution. It is frustrating that a commercial Linux vendor could do something so de-stabilising to the Linux market. I expect that we will choose a more community centered distribution this time round to avoid another random move by a commercial distributor.
Note from Marcus Coles: Enjoy your last good quarter. Was it worth it?
Note from James A. Moore: Novell makes Judas Iscariot look like one of the good guys.
Note from Ryan Fischer: Microsoft lawyers + Novell lawyers = hatched scheme to proprietary OSS and foster fear. Well, we need some GPL defence funds because, guaranteed, Novell and Microsoft will be in breach of it over and over. Remember people, ANYTHING GPL has to be re-released after it has been altered!
Note from Mark Edwards: Mr Hovsepian, Thank you for helping me decide between SUSE & Fedora now that SUSE's future doesn't look too impressive with the GPL & LGPL 3 licences just around the corner.
Note from Beaudoin Gael: You can't fool anyone with this agreement. Please reconsider!
Note from Andy Jewell: Epitaph: Here lies Novell. They didn't buy what they thought they bought.
Note from salsaman: Novell, you have lost support from the entire Free Software community. I hope you are satisfied with what you have done.
Note from Mike Ward: M$ + N$ Watch the money trail. N$ doesn't get what M$ can't make.
Note from Christian Fernandez: Free Software is not something we have created for people to do business with or for companies to use take advantage of it in other ways than the GPL and other GPL compatible licenses will already say so. I think more than ever we need GPLv3, stop Novell from screwing with what we have worked for many years. Free as in Freedom.
Note from Ben Adams: And in this situation I doubt you have much say but what the mighty Vole allows you to say. We all can see how sad is when Mr. Ballmer allows you to publicly "disagree" with his statements, many of us can see Novell is now just a Redmondian puppet. It is SO SAD indeed. R.I.P. Novell, Suse. Ben Adams
Note from Pandu Rao: I am very disappointed with Novell's decision to enter into the Patent Agreement with Microsoft. Most importantly you did not seek input from the community/FSF before embarking on this misadventure. I urge you to abide by this petition. If not, I will refrain from using or working with Novell's products and recommend that my clients do so as well.
Note from Julian Stoev: The position of Novell is really disapointing, but it is more important to think how such situations can be prevented in the future. It is clear that accepting GPL v3 is urgent in this situation. Software patents craziness must not be permitted in the free software world.
Note from Conrad Mazian: This action was and is a disgusting breach of trust by Novell. It was however the sort of tactic we've all come to know and expect from Microsoft.
Note from Atanu Datta: Sucks that u guys bought SUSE!
Note from Boris Devouge: Novell, you just shoot your own foot.
Note from Budhi Setiawan: Ampun deh, Gue ngga akan nyetuh lagi si SUSE
Note from H: I feel Novell has stabbed the FSF community in the back. You should know better than to bite the hand that feeds you. All rhetoric aside, I am not really surprised at this move from the people who are also pushing Mono. Novell has always been a devicive force at least for the Linux community. I have taken off all Novell tech from my computers.
Note from Tony Harbour: Oh what have you done.I was free of the redmond curse and now by your selfish actions the very platform that has allowed myself and others like me the freedom from being beholden to a monopolistic evil corporation is in my opinion been put in such a position that the very survival of opensource is threatened.All for a few bucks.What were you thinking?!I am not a corporate it professional I am just a every day linux user who now finds microsoft in my life again.This is unacceptable.You must reconsider your actions.How could you do this?.
Note from Ramon Barrios Lascar: I've been a Linux/Unix user since 1993. Since 1998 I've been a IT instructor and consultant. Every week, I'm teaching advanced Unix/Linux technologies, and implementing IBM Power/SLES solutions, and my advice guides five (5) network/system/database administrators a week in average. Every time I told people to choose SLES over anything else. Now I will not reccomend Novell/SuSE solution to anyone, in fact I strongly reccomend *against*, until Novell respect the GPL contract with the developer community that made possible the very products they are selling. Time will show Novell was wrong, but the community will survive, but without you Novell.
Note from Erick Gunter: Been with you a long time . . . a robust stable distribution with all the bells and whistles that I liked, including having nothing remotely connected to Micro$oft. Why turn your back on the very community that makes you strong? What is worse than the rape of your customers? Betrayal!
Note from Dennis Kibbe: If there was any doubt that the time is right for GPLv3, The Novell/Micro$oft deal proves it.
Note from Nitish Padgaonkar: Novell was such a tremendous company. Too bad it'll be seen as the company that died out through Microsoft's clever trickery. You're essentially the leader of a company that resembles the Benedict Arnold of the 21st century. Even if you join back, I'll make sure never to endorse your stupid corporation.
Note from Jan Allen: Novell has drunk from the poisoned chalice. Now it's merely a question of how soon the company dies. Window Activation is a pernicious imposition, WGA is an insult and the new Vista EULA is a trojan lying in wait for the unsuspecting user. i'm glad i migrated to PCLinuxOS.
Note from Ron House: I believe you have so wrecked Novell's credibility and popularity that only (a) a complete reversal of the patent pledge, (b) your dismissal, and (c) a full apology from the board, can have any hope of rescuing Novell as a viable business. That umpteen 100 mil had better go a long way, because from this day forward, the entire community that created the product you have based your business upon will ensure you have to make do with an increasingly ageing legacy version. And even that is probably illegal for you now.
Note from Syed E. Karim: Shame.
Note from Jamie Burke: Ramsinks.com Cpugold.com
Note from Mike Wheeler: How can you even begin to think this is a good thing?
Note from Robert DiNicolas: I am a linux network admin. I've converted my company of 20 employees to linux desktop. The reason was because microsoft solutions caused technology lock-ins that I was not comfortable with. Additionally, linux offered us a much more cost effective path on the desktop and server end of our business. Your agreement with microsoft completely defeats the purpose of OSS. I, as do may others, look at your recent actions as selling out at the cost of your customers. In addition, your actions are very likely to be a violation of the GPL. Novell, the OSS community does not need nor want your participation anymore. Good luck making an income from anyone other than MS.
Note from Brian May: I'm a linux user of old and it was with great disappointment that Novell has chosen to pursue a path that will conflict with the GPL and future version of GPL. I am a consultant and have been recommending SuSE to clients for some time. Its with sadness that I have current plans to transition SuSE to Ubuntu or similar open source distribution. My own systems are just about free of SuSE and until such a time as Novell fixes this situation Novell will remain off my recommendation of Linux distributions. Please consider the amount of damange that this will cause this great distribution.
Note from Robert G. Kowalski: This whole deal freaked me out, when I first heard about it I actually didn't believe it. Microsoft doesn't want to help the Linux community, they want to destroy it so they can make money and be the monopoly. They hate the GNU and free software in general, it gives people a choice not to just use what they have. I do understand the money sounds good, but you are hurting everyone in doing this. You will not benefit, they will just screw you over and take it all for them. There is a reason why they sell Microsoft Office Pro for over a 100 and Open Office is free. Please rethink this, I don't want to have to switch distributions!
Note from Jason Iapicco: I used to have Open-SuSE 10.1 on my desktop at home. But that has changed since the agreement with Microsoft.
Note from Stephen Cormier: I must say this move by Novell has left me totally disgusted I will never use, recommend or support another Novell/Suse product.
Note from Neil Cherry: It would nice to believe that Microsoft would like to play nice with the Open Source Community but history paints a grim picture. To make matters worse is Steve Balmer's most recent comments towards the Linux community. It's obvious that Microsoft has no intention of co-operation but rather spreading FUD and using bully tatics.
Note from Dillon Martine: First and formost in the long run Novell is going to only be hurting themselves. As it is already happeninng, people are switching to Other distrubtions. Frankly, I don't blame them. There are plenty of Distrubtions out there that compare or surpass Suse. From my personal stand point Novell has removed themselves in the linux race. Who wants to deal with MS whe most of us moved to linux to escape it. So I would just like to say congrats on cutting your user quota drastically.
Note from James Calvin Williams: Very foolish move, Novell folks: You will find that the taste of money when spread over honor and trust is quite bitter -- and very poisonous. Happy Thanksgiving.
Note from Mattthew Beason: After all that we've learned through the SCO saga to date, how could you make this "covenant" in good conscious Novell? I've been a big proponent of SuSE in the enterprise to this point. You can be certain that as long as this "covenant" stands, I'll look to other distributions in the Linux environment to fill that role. Shame on you Novell.
Note from James Alcock: I used to suggest Suse to all new users who ask me about Linux. Now I am learning and suggesting Ubuntu. Began Novell 5.5, Ended with Suse Linux Enterprise 10, Rest In Peace.
Note from Stefan Trusewych: As an open source advocate I am greatly dissappointed at the tarnishing of the open source community with this short-sighted deal with Microsoft
Note from Michael L. Richardson: I no longer use SuSE.
Note from Harold Primm: I'm speechless, really.
Note from Nathan Bargmann: Since you cannot back out of this agreement with Microsoft, as they won't allow it, I will spend the rest of my days working for both of your companies demise. May your future be a slow and agonizing descent into financial ruin and irrelevance. May your chains of slavery in service to Microsoft not rest lightly upon you. You have sold out your goodwill in the Free Software Community and you have chosen this path on your own as in the weeks since the announcement, no one from any Free Software organization has come forward to say that you consulted them on this "deal". Since you saw fit to cut the Community out of your decision making process, you will not be disappointed to learn that we have cut you out of the Community. Mr. Hovsepian, the buck stops with you and the Community is now holding you responsible for whatever happens next. Perhaps you discount us as an unruly mob on the Internet. The fact is that many of our number are IT professionals with enormous influence on the technologies used by their organizations. You may now well have the dubious distinction of being the fastest discontinued technology supplier in IT. How does that feel? Software is an idea, an expression, and as such should not be patentable. You have sold out my freedom to use my computer as I see fit without compensating me or the rest of the Community for the loss. No one should be able to deny another of freedom without Due Process. Thanks for nothing.
Note from Randy Panis: Fedora and Ubuntu Administrator
Note from James M. Susanka: I have been using Novell's products since Novell Netware 3.x and have kept my CNE current up to Netware version 6.5 (was thinking about becoming suse linux certified) and have been using SuSE linux since version 6.x and I have to say I am very very disappointed in this agreement. I have taken SuSE linux off of all my machines and installed another distibution of Linux and have removed all of the mono libraries and applications from that distribution. I will be staying away from any of Novell's and Microsoft's IP from now on. I wish you and your company the best of luck but I cannot and will not recommend your product anymore.
Note from Colin J Bean: As a new arrival on the OSS scene, I have begun to use Ubuntu. At my job site, we have been using Novell Netware servers since I was 10 years old. I am now 18. This will be the end of the line for our school using Novell, as you have decided to sell out the OSS community in favor of money and big buisness.
Note from Andrew Wasson: As it seems according to recent statements by Microsoft and Novell that there is not a clear meeting of the minds this agreement should be discarded. Rather than spur innovation and open adoption of heterogeneous architectures, it has become a point to segue for some at Microsoft and use to smear the hard work and dedication that others have put into the Linux operating system.
Note from Nicholas Pan: This is absurd. This is an self-fish act that Novell pulled. I sore oath to never support retail software, and this is pushing the limit. I have recently switched from Windows to Linux, and OpenSuse was the first distro I have used. Shortly, I read that OpenSUSE was owned by Novell and I remember that name as a well-respected company. Now, they're self-fish as hell, and because of this, I have switched to Ubuntu and burned all my SUSE cd's. To hell with Novell, how could they back stab the Open-Source community that SUSE it is built upon?! This is like saying, a hockey team wins the cup and the coach is like, "Haha, I've done it. Now i'm rich, i'm going to fire you all, and move this team down south." Novell is doomed. Microsoft is evil.
Note from Chuck R. Bell: In your November 20, 2006 'Open Letter To the Community' you state: "...we wish to be extremely clear that Novell is committed to protecting, preserving and promoting freedom for free and open source software." Prove it.
Note from Charles Laird: Stay off our Lawn Microsoft.
Note from Adam Kosmin: If nothing else, this proves that Novell has never understood, nor been a member of, the Free Software Community.
Note from Rick Nicholas: It is sad to see what Novell's current management is willing to do to make a buck, sadder still that Novell is trashing Suse's reputation along with their own.
Note from Aaron Rainer: I tore up my Novell certification last night. Kiss my white ass Novell.
Note from mike hanratty: I have worked with Novell products since Netware 3. Unless Novell undoes this incredibly selfish and stupid act of working with a company whose tacit business plan is to destroy any opposition, they have lost my support forever.
Note from William Chapman: Yet Another Sco-type Traitor?
Note from Marc Perkel: jfyi... as a result of these actions I'm abandoning suse for fedora - which is unfortunate, but I will sleep better.
Note from Adam J. Zaimes: I use Linux, Mac's and Windows daily as part of my job. Making such a deal was a direct slap in the face to all the open source developers. I formerly used SUSE and now use Debian. I will no longer make recommendations to my clients to use Novell, for those that want enterprise support I will send them to Red Hat.
Note from Frederic Tessier: I have started to use SuSE since the days of 6.4 went up until 10.0. I also started to get worries when SuSE gmbh had been bought by Novell, but at first everything seems good, but it didnt take too long then I start to see high profile member of SuSE leaving. And now this has happen, I am very disapointed as SuSE use to be my favorite Linux distro for so long time, but now it make me feel pain to use it. Since now I am encouraging a disciple of the devil 8-(. And remember once you make a deal with the devil they are never to have good thing happen just pain suffering and misery and ultimately death.
Note from Lawrence Bell: I am new to Linux,I joined the free community because of MS monopoly and bullying tactics.To me Novell is as dead as MS.I would never buy or support a Novell product.Long live UBUNTU and CANONICAL.
Note from Nicholas Petreley: I urge everyone to purge their systems of anything related to Novell/SUSE. I also urge all FOSS developers to refuse to adopt anything contributed by Novell (such as the VBA compatibility code in OpenOffice.org). Now that Novell has a virtual license to adopt Microsoft intellectual property without risk to its customers, it is a reasonable fear to assume that everything Novell produces or contributes is potentially tainted with Microsoft intellectual property. This perpetuates a substantial risk to all but Novell customers for the next five years, and may pose a substantial risk to all current FOSS adoption once this current agreement expires. Novell must either reverse its agreement or provide some other acceptable remedy before its products and/or contributions will be anything less than suspect.
Note from Mike VanLare: This is a the ultimate disgrace to customers and the open source community. I use PCLinuxOS and now, thanks to this, I will not be considering Suse in any future decisions about choosing a distro. Thanks Novell for backstabbing your customers and community. If this deal goes through and Linux dies, you will be the sole place of blame, period. http://snartz.wordpress.com
Note from James Savik: How much is the price of a soul these days?
Note from Wayne Hufford: After this deal, there's no chance that I will ever be using any of the software that Novell creates. I already use and really like PCLinuxOS, so the chances of me going to SuSE were slim anyway, but I won't be looking at a program like Evolution anymore.
Note from dusan maletic: As a result of this agreement which I find detremental I will actively discourage the use of the Novell software in our institution. This agreement injures Open Source Community in many ways, some of which we even can't predict at the moment. Only the MS has clear advantage from it, mainly through the newly acquired ability to steal results of the Open Source efforts with an impunity and to continue its long standing efforts to control/dominate document formats. I see monetary benefit to Novell as a temporary effect only while I am sure that any real lawsuit challenge by MS to any Open Source content (if such even could be made) would be so easily corrected through the existing Open Source mechanisms that protecting against it is of no consequence. Finally, spread of the Open Source would alone force MS to make their software work well in the mixed OS environment, in my opinion even more than this agreement.
Note from Bryan Law: Novell, you must understand that in the end, what is free and open to the public will always succeed in the end. Anyone who tries to suppress such things have historically always been toppled, and left with nothing in the end. Please Novell, help to strengthen the free software community, instead of using petty patent weapons against it. The community has supported you for years, don't turn your back on it now!
Note from Christopher Rey P. Baluyut: Open Source is the Future
Note from William Havington: Its sad. (PCLinuxOS works great)
Note from Christer Edwards: I have long considered openSuSE / SLED a viable option for home or office use. At this point I will no longer advocate or support its use. Novell has turned its back on the community that made its product and will steadily go downhill from here. All of the key pieces of openSuSE / SLED will change their license terms making it a violation for Novell to use. Novell will no longer have a Linux product to market. Remember Novell, you did not develop or own this product. It belongs to the community. Love live Ubuntu.
Note from Igor Stelmashenko: I think there is an opportunity for Novell to correct the error and be a part of the IT future or learn the same shameful and expensive lesson SCO did.
Note from Ralph Hokanson: The devil went down to novel looking for a soul to steal
Note from Per Thomsen: Seems that Novell was seduced by the dark side.
Note from Jerry Davis: Novell, you should know better than to make a deal with the devil. MS is an avowed enemy of open source. It started with Bill Gate's open letter to a Computer User Group many long years ago. It has gotten worse over the years. Any fool knows that the SCO Lawsuit was financed and proxied by MS. The ONLY reason that MS hasn't brought forth a lawsuit itself, is that it might not look good as a monopoly to do so. By making this deal, you have now alienated the entire Open Source community. However, I suppose we should thank you and the devil for doing this. It has now galvanized the community to look very closely at GPL3 to make sure that you and the devil don't put a wedge in FOSS.
Note from Ryan Bowden: Novell! You should know better than to make a deal with micro$oft!!!!!!!!!
Note from Dean Powell: Thanks for nothing, Novell
Note from Jonathan Conerly: I can never use a Novell product again, nor can my company.
Note from Robert Bauer: An appalled former Suse user! How could they ever do such a thing as sign an agreement with the likes of m$ and turn their back on the rest of us.
Note from M.L. de Ruyter: As a Linux end user I thought openSUSE was the lead distro for x64. However, since Novell has gone over to the dark side I will be downloading & using the upcoming Debian release rather than openSUSE 10.2.
Note from Christopher T. SKelton: I can't believe what you have done and I don't know weather to console you or point and laugh at your future (although this will affect all of us). Although, I have never thought once about using any of your products, I am a FOSS advocate and believe strongly that you have made a deal with the devil. Good Luck! Long live FOSS!
Note from Christopher T. SKelton: I can't believe what you have done and I don't know weather to console you or point and laugh at your future (although this will affect all of us). Although, I have never thought once about using any of your products, I am a FOSS advocate and believe strongly that you have made a deal with the devil. Good Luck! Long live FOSS!
Note from Mark Duncan: Your agreement shows a profound lack of understanding into the factors that make open source software successful. It is difficult to think of any other action that could annoy, upset, and perturb the open source community as what you have done. If you do not rethink your actions, this could likely be a prime case study in years to come, of what not to do.
Note from Ravi S: Novell, Please take back the patent deal and let the free software community live peacefully.
Note from Adrian Hawkins: You should by now be very aware that your actions are totally unacceptable.
Note from maxim badran: Dont be fooled by the greeeen
Note from Randal Barlow: I would like to ask Microsoft to make proof of their claims public rather then making their claims nothing more then propaganda to kill another OS.
Note from Jonathan Kopetz: To Microsoft, I find it easy to read Ballmer (though he may hide his emotions well) and what he said during PASS regarding Linux liability will be the end of you should you pursue it. To Novell, how could you? I have never used your distribution before and now I am sure I never will so long as this deal stands. You have broken if not the word, but the spirit of the GPL, and soon the word if GPLv3 has anything to say about it, and that is something the community cannot abide by. I hope you enjoy the ship you have jumped on, it may not be so great on the inside.
Note from Daya: Shame on you Ron for even thinking of side lining you competition by using unfair practices. I guess you can't learn better from Microsoft anyways. But let me warn you, we will not let you getaway with stunts like this at all.
Note from Andrew Sova: I have previously been a SUSE user, but if Novell / SUSE do not terminate the agreement with Microsoft and stop betraying the Free Software Community, I will never again use Novell / SUSE products, nor will I ever again promote SUSE / Novell in any way.
Note from Tom Russell: Your UK/German marketing belies your words
Note from Siddharth Mody: I work for a company that amongst many things is also a close partner to NOVELL. I can safely say that natural selection will triumph as SUSE's turning into a pig. What with people like Sun Solaris calling Gnome the Java Desktop. Natural selection will eliminate poor choices in the long run. Three cheers for the GPL3.
Note from Donald C. Nelson: I have watched with suppressed dismay as the balance of consumer and artist has shifted heavily toward consumer since the purchase of SUSE by Novell. Since SUSE 8.3, SUSE has become more hostile to other lunux distros on the same hard drive, and whereas SUSE 8.3 was leading edge with multimedia, 10.1 will not play a midi file without special efforts. My 86-64 has never been capable of doing origional audio and video work, because I'm violating my own digital rights. Because I depend on PCs to assist my in controlling my transmitters, automate my program stream, produce the audio and video for that program stream, and provide a platform for the necessary bureocrats. All of this I can do in a linux environment, but I find I can no longer trust my art to Novell software. With SUSE and a lot of Jack now suspect, it would appear the lawyers that killed the music industry have found a new gig.
Note from Francesco Tapparo: I feel Novell betrayed me; at our GLUG we never released SUSE, and I'm sure we will never do that in the future.
Note from Glen Lewis: As a long time (10 year) advocate and evangelist for Linux, Suse has been my favorite and most recommended for the past 5. That's over. Although there are elements that are more polished than my next favorite distro, I will now put my efforts into helping that distro improve and I will not be touching Novell again. Ahh, the days of writing NLMs through the brief flirt with MONO. Goodbye, Novell. Goodbye, SuSE. It was nice knowing you, but it's time to part ways.
Note from Navin Sylvester: You(Novell) are too greedy to do anything with the open community. We will show you the door before microsoft. My company is Novell free, And prouder to be free,
Note from David Sinclair: Bad move, Novell. Looks like you might soon have to fork samba and GNU, or watch SuSE slide into obsolescence...
Note from Edison Go Tan: FOSS rocks....
Note from Philip Fletcher: Corporations must not forego their moral responsibilities simply because they are not enshrined in the letter of the law. Novell appears to have lost it's moral compass.
Note from Oscar de Lathouder: unfortunately, MICROSOFT. As you've already seen by the words of Steve Ballmer (because Linux "uses our intellectual property" and Microsoft wanted to "get the appropriate economic return for our shareholders from our innovation." and "Only customers that use SUSE have paid properly for intellectual property from Microsoft"), Microsoft will ABUSE Suse over and over again to spread FUD and get control over OSS... "Novell's US$40 million payment to Microsoft in exchange for the latter company's pledge not to sue SUSE Linux users over possible patent violations" is BAD!
Note from Tessari: I started using linux with Suse in 1997, it looks like I'll never go back to Suse...
Note from Bevan Hay: I have used Suse since Ver 7.2 and have tried many other distros, but Suse is so good I always come back, and now I am using 10.1 I don't even try the others. In the past Novell has been a true friend of the open source community, it is such a pity that it has given the "Fudmaster" so much amunition to use against us. By all means work on interoperability with M$ but please pull out of the patent fiasco!
Note from Nir Sarusy: As a user of suse linux for long time,i was very sad to hear about the agreement, which is the opposing of the spirit of linux.
Note from Frank J. McKee: *** FOR SALE *** Cheap! Boxed sets of SUSE Linux Professional (vesions 7.3, 8.0, 8.2, 9.0, and 9.2). The vote contained in my wallet has moved elsewhere. Even openSUSE is no longer an option. It was a nice ride while it lasted. So long.
Note from Paul C. Leopardi: The way that "Microsoft’s Patent Pledge for Individual Contributors to openSUSE.org" is worded, it seems to oblige contributors to openSUSE.org to violate GPLv2 as a requirement for obtaining Micosoft's covenant "not to assert Microsoft Patents against each Individual Contributor". At best, given the benfit of the doubt, it seems to me to contain loopholes and contradictions. Please do not make Microsoft's language: 'openSUSE.org agrees that as a condition of receiving the attached contribution of Your Original Work, openSUSE.org does not receive from You the contributor any licenses, covenants or any other rights under any Microsoft intellectual property with respect to that Original Work, and openSUSE.org will ensure that all further recipients of this Original Work will be subject to this same condition. “Original Work” has the meaning as set forth in Microsoft’s Patents Pledge for Individual Contributors to openSUSE.org.' part of the "binding contribution agreement" for openSUSE.org. If openSUSE.org adopts Microsoft's conditions for contribution, I fear that contributions to openSUSE.org may dry up.
Note from Tom Haddon: I think Mr. Balmer's comments over the past few days have illustrated the dangers of entering an agreement like this with MS - gives them the "excuse" they need to spread FUD about the alleged (well, not even alleged, just hinted at) infringement of Linux on MS intellectual property.
Note from Paul C. Leopardi: I have used SuSE Linux since 6.3 in 2000, mainly using the boxed sets, and have been an active user of the mailing lists. Google "leopardi site:suse.com" to verify. I too have been looking at Kubuntu recently, but am more confident than many on this list that Novell can find a way out of this patent/GPL mess. Novell, listen to what Eben Moglen and other people with real knowledge of the legal aspects of FOSS are saying. Honour your obligations to the people who write the software which you package.
Note from Lars Noodén: Software patents are proving to be a severe obstacle to development for all closed source and open source alike in regions where they apply. The US needs to roll back to pre-1989 patent law and Novell should be helping with that, rather than muddying the waters. Novell has had some excellent products, Netware and NDS, and purchased another, SuSe, but this latest deal appears so ill informed that all of that goodwill is gone in one move. What was Novell's leadership thinking? You can be sure that until all this blows over I will not even mention Novell or its products any more and when they are brought up, will steer folks to alternatives.
Note from Andrew Kissa: The OS community should speedly adopt the GPL3 and other licences that prevent corporations like Novell from using the software that the community has created as baragining chips aganist the community itself.
Note from Dave Prince: Used SuSE continuously from 1999-2006. Next upgrade cycle I'm off to ubuntu (or similar).
Note from Cameron Summers: A non sue clause in GPL3 is surely the way to go
Note from Rene Schmidt: Don't trust Microsoft.
Note from Richard Andrews: Expect no further assistance from the Free Software community. This agreement is deplorable. One expects no less from Microsoft, but I am deeply disappointed in Novel for falling into this trap. Novel has simply signed its own death warrant. GPL3 will ensure Novel has no viable business model for the foreseeable future. Goodbye Novel. I never really knew you.
Note from Jakob Petsovits: If Novell believes it can do without the open source community, fine. If not, you have to earn the trust of the community, and this is _not_ the way to do so. As Zack Rusin recently mentioned on The Linux Link Tech Show, Novell is not an open source company, it's just a company that happened to buy two open source companies. Being an open source company means to value the community's goals higher than selfish short-time advantages, otherwise it's impossible to trust each other. Just sponsoring conferences and events just won't do. If you want to work with the community, you've got to act in the community's interests.
Note from Jonas Karlsson: If Novell does not right this wrong, I know I cannot recommend any Novell software to any of my customers or future employers.
Note from Steve Anderson: I've been looking at Mono for an application I've been planning for a server - I thought it would be a good introduction to C#, a language I've heard a lot of people really like, on Linux, my operating system of choice. Last week, that changed. Sun have done a 180-degree turn and GPLed Java. Novell have done a 180-degree turn and utterly destroyed the good feelings they were getting from the Open Source community (after raining on SCO's parade) by leaping into bed with the legendary convicted monopolist for a few million bucks. Now Java, which will be unfettered by complex licenses and patent dodgy dealings, will be the language I start learning. For shame, Novell. There's shooting yourself in the foot, and then there's detonating a multiple megaton nuclear warhead in the foot, and you've naively gone and done the latter. I hope your board are pleased with the results.
Note from Thanasis Bouzanis: Dear Novell: Congratulations for shooting your Suse clients right between the eyes. Congratulations for flashing down the toilet such a good distro. Congratulations for helping the emperor shoot down the "bad guys". You will be rewarded. In case you didn't figure it out yet, note that you've just managed to blacklist your self to your entire linux clientele. So goodbye Suse, welcome (k)ubuntu.
Note from Noah Sematimba: I have been a SuSE user since 2000 and have recommended its use everywhere I have gone. All my servers run SuSE and my laptop too. In fact I had even convinced my company to pay to SLES and all their great products for clsutering not because I couldn't set it all up myself but simply to support them. However I am now evaluating my options. I will certainly be removing SuSE linux from my laptop and servers ASAP.
Note from Paulo Pinto: Your act just made me move into other distributions. Even though I do support Microsoft products, I don't feel like supporting them through Linux and give them weapons to use in the future against our beloved OS.
Note from Michael J Kaye: The behaviour of Novell is indefensible. In the words of the Samba team: "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."
Note from Corne Kotze: I just feel sorry for all the guys that worked so hard on developing SUSE from the beginning, now all that hard work was taken by Novell in an agreement that can do the opensource community no good.
Note from peter: it will be a sad day for the OSS if you follow the path you appear to be. consider not just where your going but who your walking with!
Note from Erik Postma: With Novell doing this nonsense and Ubuntu enabling binary drivers by default, I'll have to stay with my old pal Debian in the future. I guess I'll have to recommend Fedora Core to less linux-savvy friends and family.
Note from Parameshwara Bhat: I have been a user of different GNU/Linux distros for four years now and have been a convert to the idea of software freedom ever since.I personally liked Suselinux and planned to use it in my startup firm,but after this I am not considering that anymore.
Note from Pandurangan R S: I used suse linux previously. I am using ubuntu now and i have no plans of using suse linux until the deal is taken back. good bye, suse.
Note from Wesley Parish: I think of The SCO Group's 2003 onslaught and one thing strikes me. TSCOG was big on claims, small on proof. They were also visibly failing. I worry about Microsoft, that it is using this 'agreement' to give precisely the same indicators of catastrophic failure. And, for what it's worth, I'm going to see how far I can get recompiling OpenSuSE 10.1 - on my OpenSuSE 10.0 box. If successful, I may make something of it - it's the way the GNU/BSD/Linux 'ecosystem' - good god, I would never have used that word if I had known the abuse it was going to get - that's how the F/LOSS 'ecosystem' radiates.
Note from Andrew Harris: This was a bad idea...
Note from Martin Eddington: Great, my business plan for my start-up is nearly complete and now I have to rework the whole lot and get to grips with Fedora rather than SuSE for the computationally challenged clients I wish to help. Obviously, being an advocate for Software Freedom it is now unconscionable to use or recommend Novell products.
Note from Hans Gregersen Jensen: Thank you Ron. Now every Linux user has to worry just as much as the millions of people running illegal copies of Windows.