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Linux Foundation's Voice of Reason On the Microsoft/TomTom Patent Dispute

This afternoon, Linux Foundation Executive Director Jim Zemlin weighed in with the Foundation's view on the recent patent infringement claims Microsoft has filed against TomTom.

Zemlin says at this point, there's no reason to doubt Microsoft's assurances that this is a dispute solely between TomTom and itself, or that the claims against TomTom are in any manner a direct (or indirect) move against the wider Linux ecosystem.

The Linux Foundation is hopeful, Zemlin says, that the dispute will be resolved as quickly and as peaceably as possible. However, he indicates that if the litigation turns towards the Linux environment in a general sense, the Foundation is prepared to defend the platform.

With nearly every aspect of the lawsuit being speculation at this point, Zemlin's is a sane, reasonable approach. Regardless of one's personal take on Microsoft's business practices and ethics, outwardly going on the defensive now would be a blatant waste of resources -- time, money and man-power that could prove crucial later in this case (or another).

A careful eye is required, but as Zemlin reminds us, a calm approach can spare the community undue stress -- and help it better through the long haul, if it should become necessary.

• Microsoft
• open source
• linux
• Linux Foundation
• patent
• Jim Zemlin
• litigation
• TomTom

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