Linspire deal: What will ESR and Shuttleworth do now?

Sam Varghese
Friday, 15 June 2007 06:58

Opinion and Analysis

Microsoft Office 365

It's interesting to see the way Linspire has changed colour - no chameleon could do better. In November 2006, this is what the chief executive officer, Kevin Carmony had to say about Microsoft at the time of the Novell deal (and I quote):"I just finished watching a joint news conference with Microsoft and Novell, announcing a new set of agreements for technology, interoperability and intellectual property (IP).

"During the conference, Steve Ballmer conceded that Linux has in fact become a very important part of the technology landscape and embraced by Microsoft Windows customers worldwide. There was a lot of talk about interoperability, working together, mutual-admiration banter and back-slapping. Microsoft will have to excuse me if I don't take everything that was said at face value. Microsoft, a twice-convicted monopolist, has a history that is hard to forget."

Here's Carmony again, this time quoted from the press release which accompanied the deal with Microsoft on June 14, 2007:

"Linspire has always been about choice, and this announcement continues our tradition of offering options for improved interoperability, enhanced functionality and confidence. Over the years, in an effort to expand choice, we have entered into dozens of agreements with commercial software vendors. It certainly made sense to collaborate with Microsoft, one of the most important partners in the PC ecosystem."

But then why is this a surprise? Linspire was initially known as Lindows. Microsoft filed a suit against the company and even though the judgement went in favour of Lindows, a monetary deal was done and the name changed to Linspire. The sum which changed hands at that time was reported to be $US20 million.

As the late Kerry Packer, Australia's richest man, once said during the negotiations with MCC after he organised a rebel cricket series in Australia in the late 70s: "There is a little bit of the whore in every one of us; gentlemen, name your price."

PS: It may be a good idea to read the pages linked above and save them somewhere safe. I have a feeling that at least one will disappear from the public internet soon.