<story><title>How Microsoft went from “Linux is a cancer” to “Microsoft loves Linux”</title><url>https://www.idginsiderpro.com/article/3584911/how-microsoft-went-from-linux-is-a-cancer-to-microsoft-loves-linux.html</url></story><parent_chain><item><author>DoofusOfDeath</author><text>I&amp;#x27;m having trouble calibrating my view of Microsoft in recent years, partly because of a story I heard a while ago. I&amp;#x27;d be grateful if someone could give me a reality check on this:&lt;p&gt;Some years back, one criticism I heard against Microsoft was that they threatened to assert patent infringement against Linux, but refused to tell the alleged offenders which particular patents Microsoft considered to be violated. And the end result was Microsoft (imho) legally extorting some Linux vendors for licensing fees.&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;If&lt;/i&gt; that story is true, then is Microsoft still engaging in that behavior or similar?</text></item></parent_chain><comment><author>jacquesm</author><text>They did that and more. For instance, to bankroll the SCO lawsuits. I&amp;#x27;ll never forgive them for any of this, as far as I&amp;#x27;m concerned they are untouchable, I don&amp;#x27;t care whether they &amp;#x27;changed course&amp;#x27;, if a company has condoned such tactics then they no longer deserve my support.</text></comment>
<story><title>How Microsoft went from “Linux is a cancer” to “Microsoft loves Linux”</title><url>https://www.idginsiderpro.com/article/3584911/how-microsoft-went-from-linux-is-a-cancer-to-microsoft-loves-linux.html</url></story><parent_chain><item><author>DoofusOfDeath</author><text>I&amp;#x27;m having trouble calibrating my view of Microsoft in recent years, partly because of a story I heard a while ago. I&amp;#x27;d be grateful if someone could give me a reality check on this:&lt;p&gt;Some years back, one criticism I heard against Microsoft was that they threatened to assert patent infringement against Linux, but refused to tell the alleged offenders which particular patents Microsoft considered to be violated. And the end result was Microsoft (imho) legally extorting some Linux vendors for licensing fees.&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;If&lt;/i&gt; that story is true, then is Microsoft still engaging in that behavior or similar?</text></item></parent_chain><comment><author>CrankyBear</author><text>They did, but they started moving away from it. Their big change came two years ago when they opened up their patent portfolio to the Open Invention Network. That meant any company working with Linux can use their patents without royalties. For more on that see: &lt;a href=&quot;https:&amp;#x2F;&amp;#x2F;www.zdnet.com&amp;#x2F;article&amp;#x2F;what-does-microsoft-joining-the-open-invention-network-mean-for-you&amp;#x2F;&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;https:&amp;#x2F;&amp;#x2F;www.zdnet.com&amp;#x2F;article&amp;#x2F;what-does-microsoft-joining-th...&lt;/a&gt;</text></comment>