| IBM sees Novell/MS deal benefiting Linux |
Nov. 21, 2006
Just about everyone has expressed an opinion on the Novell/Microsoft patent agreement -- except, that is, for the 800-pound gorilla of Linux: IBM. Today, Scott Handy, IBM's VP of Worldwide Linux and Open Source, decided that enough was enough and it was time to state IBM's position.
 In an interview with Linux-Watch.com, Handy (pictured at left) opened by saying that, "IBM has long supported interoperability between Windows and Linux. As supporters of open source and open standards," he continued, "we applaud any effort to bridge this gap."
Handy added that, as a member of the OIN (Open Invention Network), "We fully support the OIN statement." The OIN is an intellectual property company formed to further Linux by acquiring patents and ensuring their availability.
In that statement, OIN CEO Jerry Rosenthal said, "Hearing Microsoft agree that Linux is a major force in the information technology industry is welcome news. Many IT customers and software programmers have recognized that Linux is a first-rate computer operating system with performance, stability and cost-of-ownership that compares well with all its competitors, including Microsoft's own offerings."
Handy put it more strongly, though. From where he sits, Microsoft's Novell deal indicates that "Microsoft is coming to terms with the fact that Linux is an unstoppable force in the marketplace."
Rosenthal continued, "Unfortunately, embedded in Microsoft's recent endorsement of Linux are claims regarding customers' needing protection from patent attack. Those claims are baseless. In fact, there have been no patent suits against Linux. While patent disputes are not unheard of between and among software developers and distributors, they are almost always resolved between these commercial entities -- not by dragging in end-user customers. Isn't the real issue the fact that Microsoft is making such a threat against its own customers?"
Handy agreed and added, "We aren't sure what Microsoft's intentions are [in regards to patents]." However, "We have never seen any need for patent protection for Linux, and we don't see any need for it now. If legal claims exist, they should be resolved between vendors and not involve end-user customers."
In any case, Handy added, Novell has been quite clear that they had never agreed in any way, shape, or form that Microsoft had any proof of Microsoft patent violations in Linux.
Looking ahead, Handy said that despite the outcry in some circles about Novell's deal with Microsoft, IBM will be making "No change in our partnership with Novell."
"IBM has two strategic Linux partners, Red Hat and Novell. This has served us very well for seven-years. Over 90 percent of the Linux server market now belongs to those two companies and the industry has consolidated around those two leaders," he added.
This dual supplier strategy has worked well for us and for our customers," continued Handy. "Some customers have asked questions about this, and we tell them that if there were two or more Windows operating system vendors don't they think customers would get better deals? That usually ends it."
Indeed, Handy thinks that the Novell and Microsoft deal will be good for Linux. "Yes, we had had questions about the arrangement, but Novell's explanation of the patent agreement and the Novell CEO open letter have helped answer most of those concerns for our customers," he said.
Besides, "Many customers prefer vendors to not be at odds with each other. There are a lot of pragmatic decision makers, CIOs, that think Windows and Linux interoperability is a good thing. A larger set of pragmatic customers are finding [the Novell/Microsoft deal] makes Linux more interesting."
Handy then said, that he had talked with Novell's sales force in Paris on Saturday, and IBM's sales force, and "While there are still some questions, there's more enthusiasm because with the [Novell/Microsoft and the Oracle Linux announcement], all this attention by large vendors to Linux shows that Linux is unstoppable."
To many IT buyers, Handy said, "This is sign of Linux's unstoppable growth. It's Linux's time. The only strategy is how to grow with it."
"It's not unlike the introduction of the Internet," Handy added. "Once people understood that it wasn't going away, no one fought it any more; instead every one threw their hat in the ring."
So it is that, from Handy's viewpoint, the end result is that "Linux growth rates will increase because of what has happened in the last four-weeks."
-- Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols
Special Report: Novell and Microsoft Collaborate on Linux
For lots of background on the Novell/Microsoft Linux deal, visit Linux-Watch.com's reading list, here.
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