Microsoft is suing TomTom in part because the guys from Redmond claim that TomTom's use of Linux in its navigation devices has violated three of its file-system related patents. One reason why Microsoft feels it can do this is that it already has patent cross-licensing agreements covering these patents with other Linux-using companies.

Apparently Microsoft has a thing for conservative Japan. Just when I thought Microsoft had closed patent cross-licensing deals with every Japanese firm ever to have considered corporate existence, Microsoft surprises me with a deal with Onkyo.

The Linux Foundation Collaboration Summit started off with a town-hall-style question-and-answer session with about 70 representatives of kernel developers, Linux users, and independent software vendors.

Open-source pioneer and Novell Vice President Miguel de Icaza Thursday for the first time publicly slammed his company's cross-patent licensing agreement with Microsoft as he defended himself against lack of patent protection for third parties that distribute his company's Moonlight project, which ports Microsoft's Silverlight technology to Linux.

The Linux community is splitting — right down the middle, at this point — over Microsoft Corp.’s controversial claimsthat the open-source operating system infringes on patents it holds.
Last Tuesday, Paris-based Mandriva became the third Linux vendor within five days to say it isn’t interested in signing a licensing deal with Microsoft to avoid possible infringement claims.

The Linux community is splitting -- right down the middle, at this point -- over Microsoft's controversial claims that the open source operating system infringes on patents it holds. On June 19, Paris-based Mandriva became the third Linux vendor within five days to say it isn't interested in signing a licensing deal with Microsoft to avoid possible infringement claims.

"There are exactly nine days left for Microsoft to get other Linux companies to sign up for patent cross-licensing deals. The GPLv3 is set to be published on June 29 and once that is done, any new deal will be subject to the terms which it includes."

Tough economic times are leading customers to scrutinize their Microsoft licensing agreements more than ever before — a fact that’s leading Microsoft to provide some substantial deals and discounts.

Who says that Microsoft and free software developers are enemies?