Ubuntu said it would not consider joining the Microsoft Linux Patent Protection Program

Last Thursday, LinspireInc signed an agreement with Microsoft to become Microsoft's third Linux partner since Novell and Xandros. Linspire agreed to obtain real-time voice information from Microsoft, WindowsMedia10 decoder, and TrueType font Technology License, in return, Microsoft will also provide patent protection for Linspire customers. Microsoft seems to be setting up a "anyone except RedHat" club. Will the Linux leader RedHat be the next one? Linspire Inc signed an agreement with Microsoft last Thursday to become Microsoft's third Linux partner since Novell and Xandros. Linspire agreed to get instant voice information from Microsoft, Windows Media 10 decoder, and TrueType fonts technology license, in return, Microsoft will also provide Linspire customers with patent protection.

Microsoft seems to be setting up a "anyone except RedHat" club. Will the Linux leader RedHat be the next one? The Linux-Watch author, who claimed to be working with Microsoft at the Linux foundation Cooperation Summit, predicted that Ubuntu would probably be the next one. ITWire, however, has targeted the spotlight on the ESR and Shuttleworth, two heavyweight figures closely related to Linspire. Raymond joined the Freespire Council in February this year, and Shuttleworth signed a cooperative transaction with Linspire, is it possible that they are the fourth Linux partner that has reached a cooperation agreement with Microsoft?

In the face of some rumors that Ubuntu is discussing with Microsoft about reaching a patent deal similar to Linspire, Xandros, and Novell, Mark Shuttleworth, the founder of Ubuntu Linux, makes it clear that it will never make any deal with Microsoft. Shuttleworth welcomed Microsoft to play a role in the ease of use between Linux and Windows. He is not a fan of OpenXML and does not want to infringe anyone's patents and trademarks. Shuttleworth believes that Microsoft's patent threat is unwise. He is willing to sit down and discuss the issue, but does not want to be threatened.