Bargain between Microsoft and Novell postpones release of GPLv3

19th March 2007

Release of a final version of GPL license is being delayed because of the recently concluded transaction between Microsoft and Novell. This agreement was signed in November last year. The agreement between Microsoft and Novell includes the joint development of virtualization technologies allowing to use simultaneously on one computer operating systems Windows and Suse Linux Enterprise. Companies also plan to form a new research laboratory. In addition, the partners promised not to launch against each other patent claims concerning rights on technologies implemented on Windows or Suse Linux Enterprise. By the way, Linus Torvalds, the creator of the Linux operating system, believes that the GPLv3does not contain any fundamental changes, which could lead to the renewal of licences for the Linux core. According to Torvalds, at present, there is a wide variety of licenses now, and GPLv3 will be just one more of them. Currently, developers of GPLv3 are exploring issues related to the agreement between Microsoft and Novell. The date of the license final edition release has not yet been disclosed, but initially it was expected not later than the end of March. It is noticeable, that Microsoft will pay $108 million for using Novell patents. As for Novell, it will pay for the patents of Microsoft about $40 million. Agreement between Microsoft and Novell fit into the limits of current version of the GPL license, but may contradict to some conditions of the coming up GPLv3. This, according to the Linux.com, is a paragraph of the contract that concerns payments for Microsoftâ€™s redistribution of OS Novell Suse Linux Enterprise. Besides, as it was already noted, the agreement provides protection of Novell customers in case intellectual property of Microsoft is found in Linux. This item also contradicts to the GPLv3 license.