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Microsoft Cuts Another Linux IP Royalty Deal

This one’s with Japanese-based Melco Holdings, the parent company of Buffalo Inc, and the Buffalo Group
By Maureen O'Gara
Article Rating:
July 26, 2009 02:00 PM EDT
Reads:
 1,405

Microsoft has signed another one of those Linux software patent agreements that infuriate the Linux faithful.

This one’s with Japanese-based Melco Holdings, the parent company of Buffalo Inc, and the Buffalo Group.

Microsoft said the patent covenants specifically apply to Buffalo-branded Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices and routers that run Linux. Microsoft is getting undisclosed royalties from Melco for it.

Buffalo makes LinkStation and AirStation and said “While we plan to increasingly adopt Windows Storage Server for our NAS business, we also wanted to ensure that our open source and Linux-embedded devices had the appropriate IP protections. By collaborating with Microsoft on a practical business solution, we are able to provide our customers with the appropriate IP coverage, while also maintaining full compliance with our obligations under the GPLv2.”

Microsoft already has embedded Linux IP deals with LG, Samsung, Fuji Xerox, Kyocera Mita, TomTom and Brother.

Published July 26, 2009 – Reads 1,405
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Maureen O'Gara the most read technology reporter for the past 20 years, is the Cloud Computing and Virtualization News Desk editor of SYS-CON Media. She is the publisher of famous "Billygrams" and the editor-in-chief of "Client/Server News" for more than a decade. One of the most respected technology reporters in the business, Maureen can be reached by email at maureen(at)sys-con.com or paperboy(at)g2news.com, and by phone at 516 759-7025.

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