RSSAsian Linux Distributor Strikes Patent Covenant with Microsoft
By Scott M. Fulton, III | Published October 23, 2007, 11:11 AM
In a deal that could lead to the creation of a unique cross-platform authentication system for heterogenous networks, Tokyo-based Linux distributor Turbolinux announced this morning, Japan time, it has reached an agreement with Microsoft for a cross-licensing of the two companies' patent portfolios.
On the surface, what Turbolinux gets out of this is the interoperability information it needs to develop a single-sign-on service, enabling users to authenticate themselves once and transfer that security authority between operating systems. That's how Microsoft is playing up the deal today, as it announces it will establish a permanent workshop at its Beijing office "to focus on testing and showcasing solutions for customers and partners," as last night's announcement put it.
But Turbolinux could have gotten that information through a simple, one-way license agreement. By making the deal two-way, Microsoft opens up the possibility for a kind of front-end portal: a way to make Windows the logon prompt for Linux.
While Turbolinux CEO Yano Koichi characterized the deal as a way to help his customers perceive Turbolinux as "the distribution that works best with their existing Microsoft investments," it's perhaps impossible not to consider the implications of Microsoft being able to leverage its joint discoveries - to which it would presumably be fully licensed - in devising a similar portal for Linspire and Novell distributions, and perhaps others.
Turbolinux had already warmed up to Microsoft by joining its Open XML - ODF translator project last July. This morning the companies said they'll expand that cooperation, and for doing so, Turbolinux will be granted the right to feature Live Search (note, not "Windows Live Search") on its users' desktops.
If you're wondering where else you might have seen Turbolinux recently, you might have encountered its trademark on a curious new MP3 player device launched last June, called the Wizpy. Although its principal purpose is as a music player, it features a complete Linux distribution for a pocket-sized computer. Using a USB cable connected to any other machine, including a Windows PC, you can boot up the Wizpy's desktop inside a separate window. There's a miniature ODF-compliant software suite in that window, and you can transfer files between the PC and the Wizpy using functions driven by the device rather than by an application on the PC's host system.
With access now to Microsoft's patents, Turbolinux could conceivably expand that connection for a future Wizpy edition, to enable drag-and-drop functionality, portability with Microsoft Outlook, and perhaps other thus far unforeseen features, expanding its already intriguing capabilities. Meanwhile, Microsoft might want to have a look at Wizpy for itself, especially for some ideas on how to build a more interesting value proposition for a third generation of Zune.
This latest deal marks the fourth patent covenant Microsoft has reached with a major Linux distributor, after former "Lindows" vendor Linspire and Outlook work-alike vendor Xandros last June, and after the precedent-setting deal with Novell last November.
I think we need to clear up some misinformation by zridling before making any further comments. Wizpy is NOT a palm sized PC. Wizpy is an MP3, MP4 and OGG player with a built in bootable Turbolinux USB memory disk. It's more than a memory stick and it's more than an MP3 player. The only standalone features it offers are those comparable to a portable audio and video player. I can't comment on Turbolinux the distribution as a standalone entity but the Wizpy is a great device and has some real potential.
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|wizPy is a palm-sized PC running TurboLinux. It is essentially built as a Japanese counterpart to Windows, but its KDE setup looks a LOT like OS X. It's really rather clever, but every distro that's struck a deal w/Microsoft so far has gone straight to the gutter. You can't sell (or bargain for or make contracts with) what you don't own.
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|Before I Wikipedia TurboLinux and spout off an opinion based on immediately learned knowledge... I'll say this -- what is TurboLinux? (checking article again)... Um... what's a Wizpy? I don't even begin to remember this.
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|They were actually pretty big ages ago. It was a decent system.
*shrug*
No idea what a wizpy is.
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|And the EU decision becomes ever more meaningless....
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|FTA - "Tokyo-based Linux distributor"
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|Wow.
You're not actually under the impression that the EU decision effects only the EU (and the market it attempts to regulate isn't affected by competition *outside* the EU), are you??
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|Oh, those damn commies in the EU!!!! [note: sarcasm]
Its time you got a real life, tool. Though, this time you shouldn't try to download it....
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|Never mind anything that tool says. He's a libertopian so therefore all of his opinions aren't based in reality.
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|Oh, those damn commies in the EU!!!!
I really don't recall saying that.
Perhaps, instead of putting words in peoples mouth you could actually post on topic?
Nahhh... That would involve critical thinking skills.
Its time you got a real life, tool. Though, this time you shouldn't try to download it....
I love it when people make assumptions like that. Got one. Enjoy it greatly. Worked for it. What's your excuse?
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|"I really don't recall saying that."
Maybe, but your attitude belies it anyways.
"Perhaps, instead of putting words in peoples mouth you could actually post on topic?"
Maybe you should get a real life.
"I love it when people make assumptions like that. Got one. Enjoy it greatly. Worked for it."
The deluded are the last to know.... I truly feel sorry for libertopians, their life's are such empty and shallow things where they believe that money can buy true happiness.
"What's your excuse?"
Unlike you I don't need any excuses.
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|I truly feel sorry for libertopians, their life's are such empty and shallow things where they believe that money can buy true happiness.
Happiness is the payoff of hard work, strong code of ethics, and persistence. The money (and free-time) is just a nice perk.
But thanks for playing...
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|Never mind sjc001, he's a troll, so his opinions aren't based on reality.
See? Anyone can play that game because it requires zero critical thinking (i.e., no brains).
I can see why you fall back to that so quickly and so often...
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|"Happiness is the payoff of hard work, strong code of ethics, and persistence."
What's that got to do with you? BTW, is that a strong code of positive, or negative ethics?
Its ironic that most of the riches people in America got rich not through any of that, but by inheriting it instead....
"The money (and free-time) is just a nice perk."
Its still not what makes for true happiness.
"But thanks for playing..."
Speaking of playing, you'll go blind if you keep on doing that...
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|lmao.
Typical.
You're class envy is showing. You sit here whining about the rich instead of actually doing anything about it (ya know, like getting there yourself).
Go ahead and keep trying to insult me. It's amusing.
Its ironic that most of the riches people in America got rich not through any of that, but by inheriting it instead....
Pure BS. :) But you knew that.
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