The Free Software Foundation has issued a press release which can fairly be characterized as an angry open letter – and warning — to Microsoft.
It says:
“Microsoft cannot declare itself exempt from the requirements of GPLv3 … “Microsoft cannot by any act of anticipatory repudiation divest itself of its obligation to respect others’ copyrights. If Microsoft distributes our works licensed under GPLv3, or pays others to distribute them on its behalf, it is bound to do so under the terms of that license. It may not do so under any other terms; it cannot declare itself exempt from the requirements of GPLv3.
“Microsoft has said that it expects respect for its so-called ‘intellectual property’–a propaganda term designed to confuse patent law with copyright and other unrelated laws, and to muddy the different issues they raise. We will ensure–and, to the extent of our resources, assist other GPLv3 licensors in ensuring–that Microsoft respects our copyrights and complies with our licenses.”
Is this more feather ruffling or will FSF really take the goliath Microsoft to court if they deem Microsoft is in violation of GPLv3?
