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Red Hat swats Microsoft's European patent ruling

Red Hat isn't buying Microsoft's patent ruling in Europe.

Matt Asay Contributing Writer
Matt Asay is a veteran technology columnist who has written for CNET, ReadWrite, and other tech media. Asay has also held a variety of executive roles with leading mobile and big data software companies.
Matt Asay

The European Union may have unwittingly played into Microsoft's anti-open source hands in its recent ruling. While initially met with cheers from the open-source community, the ruling has many, including Red Hat's counsel, Michael Cunningham, suggesting that all that glitters is not gold:

"We are reviewing the European Commission's announcement in the Microsoft abuse case and congratulate the Commission on the improvements announced [on Monday]. Our enthusiasm is somewhat tempered, however, by concerns that the patent arrangements may have not been made compatible with open-source licensing, especially given the pro-competitive effects to consumers of the open-source model. Accordingly, we will be carefully reviewing the arrangements in the coming days as further details are announced."

With Linux also-rans falling over themselves to lap up Microsoft's patent froth, it's good to see Red Hat, Ubuntu, Mandriva, and others holding firm. In the meantime, it would be nice to see Microsoft shepherd its patent portfolio responsibly.

Yes, the short-term benefit to its shareholders might suggest it should FUD the universe, but the long-term benefits of engaging the open-source community outweigh any such benefit.