James talks with Redmond Channel Partner

A great interview with James discussing Microsoft’s assertions around GPLv3.  An excerpt is below:

James Bottomley is really on top of things (sorry -- we had to say it) when it comes to Linux. The CTO of SteelEye Technology is also on the board of the Linux Foundation. In that capacity, he helps smooth the transition of disparate Linux organizations into the still fairly new Foundation.

As such, Bottomley's obviously got some insight into Microsoft's continued patent deals with Linux distributors.

Those patent deals took another turn this week as Redmond claimed that its deal with Linspire didn't cover software developed under the latest version of the license that governs Linux use, the now infamous GPLv3.

Bottomley is an open source believer, but while he's, let's just say, "critical" of Redmond's business practices, it's important to point out that he's not necessarily anti-Microsoft. (SteelEye, in fact, is a Gold Certified Partner.) And his perspective on Microsoft's fleecing of Linux distributors is not only that it isn't really fleecing at all -- but that it might just end up being a huge waste of time and money.