Microsoft has been changing its mindset for a long time, although some say that what you want is to destroy Linux from within. But the truth is that they have already released some Linux-based products and also their own Linux distro as we know. In fact, we see how they have integrated a Linux subsystem in their Windows 10, and also in the Azure cloud, not counting the economic and development contribution they have made to the Linux Foundation and the kernel itself respectively. They have also opened some of their programs, bought the open source platform GitHub, etc.
It is not a question of love or sympathy, but of simple survival of Microsoft itself. But now it has gone one step further. We already know that Microsoft has been raising huge amounts of money for patents for the use of, for example, FAT among other technologies developed by those of Redmond. It is even said that they have come to earn much more by charging patents to Android devices than with their failed Windows Mobile.
After joining the Open Source Initiative and the Linux Foundation, Microsoft has now joined the OIN (Open Invention Network) with more than 60.000 patents and with the aim of helping in the defense of the Linux system. Yes, rub your eyes if you want, but it is reality, it is not an April 1 joke and a dream. A facet of the company founded by Bill Gates that we did not know and that seems to be moving in the right direction.
It seems that in addition to money, Microsoft is really engaging with the community. For those who do not know the OIN, it is a deposit of Defensive patents shared with the mission of protecting Linux. That is, to use these patents to prevent abuse and defend its members, which include large companies and projects such as Google, Python, OpenStack, and more than 2600 organizations around the world.
Erich andersen, Microsoft corporate vice president said: «The next logical step for a company that is listening to customers and developers and is firmly committed to Linux and other open source programs is this. We bring to OIN a valuable and deep portfolio of more than 60.000 patents. We hope that our decision to join will attract many other companies to OIN, making the licensing network even stronger for the benefit of the open source community.«