Linux put on hold: Windowless office a distant dream.

The rollout of Linux-ready PC's by companies such as HP, Novell and the like may be put on hold in the run up (and aftermath) of software patents - bad news for many smaller companies who were relying on cheaper OS products to cut costs and make a profit. The reason - Open Source Risk Management. A new group that indemnifies its customers against infringement claims, they found in a review of Linux code that the operating system potentially infringes on 283 patents. Although IBM declared it would make no effort to enforce its 60 patents involved, some are held by Linux foes, including 27 by Microsoft.

It doesn't take a genius to work out the fact that many businesses and PC distributors that were warming to the idea of penguins galore are now cancelling orders left, right and centre as the interminable SCO vs IBM courtcase rumbles on. This, coupled with the seperate battle for European patents is starting to have a massive effect on Linux usage. In Munich, Germany, the city government has suspended a massive transition of desktop computers from Microsoft Windows to Linux, pending clarification of the patent situation - it looks like many other locales will shortly be following suit.

Of course, the SCO case is now old news (and looks like rumbling on forever), but the sudden halt of Linux based desktops is a relatively new phenomenon that's bound to get worse before it gets any better. At this point, I'd usually counterbalance with a note of optimism, some vague glimmer of hope but in this instance, there really doesn't look like one on the horizon. Open source software is in a very shaky position, and even though IBM will probably win out in the end against SCO, even the might of Big Blue might not be enough to stop the ever relentless march of a group of grey suited, shadily motivated solicitors from Brussels.

Links:
Why software should not have owners
The Penguin's big freeze
A paper detailing the SCO Vs IBM case
Groklaw