Microsoft Not Playing GPLv3’s Game
Microsoft 
has made its position crystal clear regarding the new version of the GPL, saying that none of its actions are to be misinterpreted as “accepting status as a contracting party of GPLv3 or assuming any legal obligations under such license.”Although some industry observers have said that Microsoft’s distribution of certificates for Novell support services amounts to acceptance of GPLv3, Microsoft reinforced its stance repeatedly in a statement on July 5. The company does not believe that such claims have a valid legal basis under contract, intellectual property, or any other law.
“We do not believe that Microsoft needs a license under GPL to carry out any aspect of its collaboration with Novell, including its distribution of support certificates, even if Novell chooses to distribute GPLv3 code in the future,” the company said in a statement. “Furthermore, Microsoft does not grant any implied or express patent rights under, or as a result of, GPLv3, and GPLv3 licensers have no authority to represent or bind Microsoft in any way.”
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Add comment July 6th, 2007
