According to The Wall Street Journal, open source operating system, Linux, is getting into more and more enterprise servers. Microsoft (MSFT) has been the largest supplier of software in this field for years, and Sun Microsystems (SUNW) also sells its Solaris software into the same markets. As one IT manager said: "Linux is significantly more cost-efficient."
While Linux may need further development to offer the robust features that Microsoft does, "less expensive" always has its attractions.
But, the world’s largest software company still has an ace in the hole. Microsoft has made over 200 patent claims against Linux, and, if it presses them, corporate use of the open source product could fall off. Linux, as a free software movement, may not have the capital to defend all of Microsoft’s allegations. And, that would mean that customers using the system now and in the future might have to foot the bill if Microsoft can prove that it is due royalties for its intellectual property.
Microsoft’s tactic cuts two ways. It may slow down the advances that Linux has made in the enterprise market, but if prices for the open source solution rise due to IP license fees, businesses could look at Microsoft as the cause. That could create some real tension between Redmond and some of its most important customers.
But, ultimately, it is probably Linux that will suffer. Enterprises certainly understand and may have sympathy for a firm asserting its intellectual property rights, even if everyone’s costs go up a bit.
Douglas A. McIntyre
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