Novell Loses Right to Sell Linux, Says Software Group
Date: Tuesday, February 06 2007 @ 07:06:54 EST
Topic: Novell News
After Novell tied-up with Microsoft, it has lost the right to sell new
versions of Linux operating systems, a member of the Free Software
Foundation has said.
It may be remembered that Novell had tied
up with Microsoft, a proponent of paid software, to sell open software
products. It hailed the decision as far reaching and beneficial to the
industry.
The free software foundation controls the intellectual property of the open-source Linux operating system.
The foundation criticised Novell after after its business and marketing
tieup with Microsoft and was barred from distributing newer versions of
the software, Eben Moglen, general counsel for the Free Software
Foundation said.
The foundation also said though it has not made
any decision on the matter, but a ruling could in this regard could be
expected in a forthnight.
Meanwhile Novell has rubbished all
reports of being barred from selling newer versions of Linux based
software. According to media reports, Novell said the “No one can stop
it from selling SUSE Linux.”
Novell’s unnamed spokesman said
the media reports were more of speculations and none of its customers
were in any legal troubles.
The Novell spokesman also said the
firm was was working to avoid such an extreme situation. "We're in
talks with the Free Software Foundation. We'll see what emerges and act
appropriately."
|
|