The deal effectively makes Microsoft a reseller of Suse Linux

Once and a while, something happens that causes people to stop and ask the question “why?”. Microsoft’s recent decision to work with Linux vendor Novell is one of those things.

Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft has agreed not to sue users of Suse Linux for patent infringement. This has been a long time concern for users of Linux. Also according to the agreement, Microsoft and Novell will work together, and with their customers, on designing and testing their respective products for interoperability and ensuring they meet the needs of their customers. Microsoft has also agreed to purchase at least 70,000 “coupons” that their corporate customers can redeem for support for Suse Linux. The agreement is said to be in effect until at least 2012.

For years now, Microsoft has been attacking Linux and open-source, as Linux in particular is seen as a competitor to its Windows operating systems. This is what makes this move so interesting. What could have changed at Microsoft to facilitate this? Has Microsoft realized that Linux does have a place in the business? Are they concerned over further anti-trust cases? Does this decision simply make good business sense at this moment? Is it a combination of the above? Perhaps time will tell.

Source: Wall Street Journal