Microsoft Didn't License GNU


      
            Microsoft has revealed that its patent deal with Linspire doesn't cover the new version of the GNU General Public License (GPL), the company's latest effort to distance itself from the GPLv3. Separately, Lindows said it will imminently release new versions of its flagship Linspire and Freespire products.
      In a copy of the Linspire agreement published on Microsoft's website, the company said specifically that the agreement doesn't cover "any portions of products that comprise or include Foundry Products, Clone Products, GPLv3 Software or Other Excluded Products".
      Microsoft and Linspireagreed on the deal in mid-June. The agreement, similar to those agreed on by Novell and Xandros, states that Microsoft won't sue Linspire customers for patent infringement. Microsoft has said that Linux violates 235 Microsoft patents, although it has declined to give further details.
      After the Linspire deal was announced, the Free Software Foundation (FSF) released the GPLv3, which aims to make such patent deals legally impossible. The Microsoft document was published on 5 July, following the GPLv3's release.
      In theory the exception means that Lindows users could expose themselves to a Microsoft lawsuit if they use open source components licensed under the GPLv3 and those components infringe on Microsoft patents. Continue At Source



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