Mark Shuttleworth on Ubuntu and Microsoft -- he's not signing nothing
Buried deep in his blog, Canonical head Mark Shuttleworth discusses his position on the whole Microsoft "intellectual property" claim regarding Linux and open-source software and what, as the man behind Ubuntu, he's comfortable and not comfortable doing with Microsoft. Here is his comment in its entirety:
Mark Shuttleworth says:
Neither Canonical nor the Ubuntu project have any interest in signing an agreement with Microsoft on the back of the threat of unspecified patents. We have consistently (but politely) declined to pursue those conversations with Microsoft, in the absence of any details of the alleged patent infringements.
Speaking for myself, I welcome Microsoft’s openness to the idea of improving interoperability between free software components such as OpenOffice and Microsoft Office, and believe that Microsoft’s customers, many of whom are now also Linux users, will appreciate Microsoft’s efforts in that regard. I have substantial reservations about the quality of the specification for Microsoft’s OpenXML document formats and do not believe that Microsoft will limit it’s own Office implementation to that specification, which makes the specification largely meaningless as a standard. A specification which Microsoft won’t certify as being accurate as a representation of Office 12’s behavior, and will not commit to keeping up to date in advance of future revisions to MS Office, is not a credible standard.
After many years of participating in the free software community I know that neither I nor any other free software programmer has any desire to infringe on any intellectual property (trademark, copyright or patent) of any other person or company. Many of us are motivated precisely to ensure that we work on platforms which DON’T cross that line. So it is somewhat offensive to be threatened with an allegation of an IP infringement. I’m sure Microsoft doesn’t realise that its actions are being received in that light, otherwise they wouldn’t continue. But it is getting rather tiresome. I would be very happy to see the details of any alleged patent infringement so that we can engage with Microsoft more constructively on the subject.
Mark
So there you have it -- Canonical welcomes any efforts by Microsoft to improve "interoperability," isn't a fan of OpenXML, doesn't want to infringe on anybody's patents or trademarks, thinks Microsoft's threats are ill-advised, a and would like to actually deal with the issue rather than respond out of fear.
But most of all, he's not going to sign any IP agreements with Microsoft, meaning one of the biggest dominoes in free Linux will not fall.
(Thanks to commenter Zeke for tipping me to this item)
Comments
I would simply say "Right On!". Mark has positioned himself in the right place, that is a willingness to work and co-operate with Microsoft on some of the issues but a refusal to back down in the face of potential threats.
I have to believe Microsoft will back down and desire to work in a cooperative manner then to threaten everyone. At least I hope so.
Posted by: Paul | June 15, 2007 7:23 PM
Think about it -- why do any Linux distributors need to make any kind of deal with Microsoft to further the cause of interoperability? Since Linux and just about everything that comes with it is open-source, Microsoft can tailor its products to work better with Linux. Or Microsoft can make the specifications of its own products public -- opening up Windows and Office -- so makers of other operating systems can figure out how to make Linux and other OSes more compatible. Either way, no Linux provider needs to enter into an agreement to make this happen. If Linux is open and Windows remains closed (a state of affairs that will not change), the playing field is too lopsided to be fair in any way.
Posted by: Steven Rosenberg | June 15, 2007 11:47 PM
Steven,
Thank you for this post and getting it on LXer for all to read. Great job for reporting the truth :)
Posted by: nixternal | June 16, 2007 6:33 AM
Well done Mark. "If we don't hang together, we shall surely hang separately".
[Aside: In my view (as a European), software patents are clearly illegal, as well as being impractical, and immoral.]
Posted by: Richard Neill | June 16, 2007 2:41 PM
Way to go Mark! Don't be threatened by the devil!!!
Posted by: Matt | June 16, 2007 4:26 PM
Honesty has a greater value and deserves more respect than money. Thanks Mark.
Posted by: Ilde Giron | June 16, 2007 10:27 PM
Thank you Mark. Decisions like this are the reason the community trusts you.
Posted by: blogage.de | June 17, 2007 8:39 AM
I have been on the receiving side of a specious lawsuit, where the other side made vague claims of injury and presented no evidence. After fourteen months of this, the other side tucked its tail between its legs and slunk away. You cannot lose a lawsuit until well after the other side presents evidence. All other belchings are just so much noise.
Posted by: Chydenius | June 17, 2007 8:50 AM
hi mark it was so interesting reading your interview with Hanlie Retief in Rapport 19/08/07.My daughter Bianca,31, is a programmer who lives in Singapore and she also studying law part time through Unisa. can you please contact her at email: bianca.vanwetten@gmail.com as she would love to meet you.keep up the good work. god bless. rita van wetten
Posted by: rita van wetten | August 22, 2007 3:59 PM