Microsoft has offered a significant contribution to the Linux kernel under the GNU General Public License version 2. This is important news. It seems like only yesterday that Microsoft was declaring Linux, open source software and the GPL to be the axis of evil. Now Microsoft is making a credible opening bid to become a member of the Linux community. As the largest corporate contributor to the Linux kernel, Red Hat would like to acknowledge this and encourage Microsoft to continue on this path.
The new contribution consists of three Linux device drivers directed at interoperability. They are designed to allow Linux to run as a virtual machine on top of Hyper-V, Microsoft’s hypervisor. Such interoperability is to Microsoft’s benefit, of course, as a selling point for Windows. But it’s also good for Linux users, in providing more choice and flexibility. So it has win-win elements.
In the past, Microsoft has been critical of GPL licensing, but it has evidently accepted the reality that copyleft licensing is here to stay. The GPL is still by far the most used open-source license, and it has been a major contributor to the growth of free and open source software. As far as the kernel community is concerned, at this point there’s simply no viable alternative. Microsoft’s acceptance of the GPL suggests a new level of thoughtful realism in Redmond. This too is encouraging.
But there is still an important issue that needs to be addressed before Microsoft can be considered a full-fledged member of the Linux community – the issue of patents. Over the years, the individual and corporate members of the community have through formal and informal steps made clear that they will not pursue or threaten patent litigation in the Linux area. Patent threats are irreconcilable with the norms and values that are at the heart of Linux. To win the respect and trust of the Linux community, Microsoft should unequivocally disavow such conduct and pledge that its patents will never be used against Linux or other open source developers and users.
So we congratulate Microsoft on its recent step. In the meantime, we will stay tuned and look for good progress on the interoperability front, together with real engagement with the open source community.
Sobre o autor
Navegue por canal
Automação
Últimas novidades em automação de TI para empresas de tecnologia, equipes e ambientes
Inteligência artificial
Descubra as atualizações nas plataformas que proporcionam aos clientes executar suas cargas de trabalho de IA em qualquer ambiente
Nuvem híbrida aberta
Veja como construímos um futuro mais flexível com a nuvem híbrida
Segurança
Veja as últimas novidades sobre como reduzimos riscos em ambientes e tecnologias
Edge computing
Saiba quais são as atualizações nas plataformas que simplificam as operações na borda
Infraestrutura
Saiba o que há de mais recente na plataforma Linux empresarial líder mundial
Aplicações
Conheça nossas soluções desenvolvidas para ajudar você a superar os desafios mais complexos de aplicações
Programas originais
Veja as histórias divertidas de criadores e líderes em tecnologia empresarial
Produtos
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux
- Red Hat OpenShift
- Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform
- Red Hat Cloud Services
- Veja todos os produtos
Ferramentas
- Treinamento e certificação
- Minha conta
- Recursos para desenvolvedores
- Suporte ao cliente
- Calculadora de valor Red Hat
- Red Hat Ecosystem Catalog
- Encontre um parceiro
Experimente, compre, venda
Comunicação
- Contate o setor de vendas
- Fale com o Atendimento ao Cliente
- Contate o setor de treinamento
- Redes sociais
Sobre a Red Hat
A Red Hat é a líder mundial em soluções empresariais open source como Linux, nuvem, containers e Kubernetes. Fornecemos soluções robustas que facilitam o trabalho em diversas plataformas e ambientes, do datacenter principal até a borda da rede.
Selecione um idioma
Red Hat legal and privacy links
- Sobre a Red Hat
- Oportunidades de emprego
- Eventos
- Escritórios
- Fale com a Red Hat
- Blog da Red Hat
- Diversidade, equidade e inclusão
- Cool Stuff Store
- Red Hat Summit