The city of Munich has pulled the plug on what was to have been the biggest Windows to Linux migration - of over 15,000 PCs - over patent concerns. There are more than 50 patents relating to Linux that could cause Munich headaches, as a member of the European Union (EU). Some industry experts say that Linux may infringe upon more than 200 patents. Last Friday, Green Party Alderman Jens Muehlhaus called for a reassessment of the decision due to patent legislation currently under consideration in the European Union.

Richard Seibt, the CEO of SuSE Linux A.G. in Nuremberg, Germany, initially said that the German city opted for Linux because it would help create jobs in Germany. But analysts have said that the legal pressure exerted by Microsoft could bring the switch to Linux to a grinding halt.

Munich's decision is seen as setting a tone in Europe for open source use. When Munich first decided to look into switching to Linux, Paris began conducting its own investigation into the legal ramifications of migrating from Windows to open source.

Yet, other European countries have adopted Linux. The Norwegian city of Bergen decided to run older version of Windows and Unix on Novell’s Linux Enterprise Server 8. It should be noted that Norway, however, is not a member of the EU.

• Munich's Linux Plans - "LiMux" - Put On Hold
• Norway's Second Largest City Switching to Linux
• Microsoft-Funded Report Had "Big Influence" on Decision Against Linux, Admits UK Official