Microsoft Was Distributing Ubuntu Linux

ausage writes "Groklaw has noted that for the last few days, Microsoft has been distributing Unbuntu Desktop Linux from the Windows Marketplace Website. The page is gone now, but can still — as of this morning — be seen using Google cache. 'Heaven only knows that's true, simply perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. The part Microsoft got wrong is it says the license is "Free" and "No limitations". Actually, the GPL does set some limitations, like what you are responsible to do if you redistribute.'"

Am I wrong?

[moderatorrater (1095745)]

Or do I see that Microsoft was merely putting a link to a place where you can download Ubuntu? Wouldn't this free Microsoft from any obligations under the GPL?

Re:Am I wrong?

[pembo13 (770295)]

Who said they were violating the GPL?

Re:Am I wrong?

[Lockejaw (955650)]

Well, it wouldn't be a violation of the GPL, but it would be hard for them to make a serious lawsuit threat for using software they gave you.

you are correct

[number6x (626555)]

Windows Marketplace had a link to CNET's Download.com site. So MS was not distributing.

Still humorous though!

BWHAHAH

[jrwr00 (1035020)]

Arg! our Linux spy have bee found! he was going to make a windows update to reinstall windows as Ubuntu, Oh well i guess this works

Interesting to see what comes out of this

[pembo13 (770295)]

I've been trying to get an Ubuntu laptop myself, maybe Microsoft can give me a laptop too.

Re:Interesting to see what comes out of this

[Rude Turnip (49495)]

There's probably a shitload of free chairs in their parking lot today, too.

First Post! or maybe not

[by Anonymous Coward]

I think my first post is missing because:

1) It was on a blackberry confiscated by the communist French govt.
2) I was ready to post, but the lake I was fishing on suddenly disappeared
3) I was 4th born in my family and I'm too stupid to post
4) ???
5) Profit!

MS distributing a Linux distro?

[jshriverWVU (810740)]

... thought it was a bit cold outside, did hell REALLY freeze over?

Distributing?

[AKAImBatman (238306)]

There's a difference between "distributing" and "referencing". According to TFA, Microsoft was doing the latter by sending users to CNET for the product.

This is amusing, but it will not have any of the legal implications that many would expect from Microsoft distributing Linux.

"Unbuntu"?

[sczimme (603413)]

From the summary:

"Groklaw has noted that for the last few days, Microsoft has been distributing Unbuntu Desktop Linux from the Windows Marketplace Website.

However, according to the cached page Microsoft spelled 'Ubuntu' correctly.

Rebuntu link?

[by Anonymous Coward]

I downloaded and installed Unbuntu from the Microsoft page. Does anyone know where I can find a link to Rebuntu?

Re:Rebuntu link?

[Valdrax (32670)]

I thought one of Linux's advantages was that you didn't really need to Rebuntu so often.
Also -- obligatory xkcd. [xkcd.com]

System Requirements

[Odin_Tiger (585113)]

Supported OS
Windows 3.x
Windows 95
Windows 98
Windows Me
Windows NT
Windows 2000
Windows XP
Windows Vista
Windows MCE
Windows 2003 Server

WTF?
Also...

Number of Downloads 10,923

Like...Damn.

Re:System Requirements

[Jugalator (259273)]

You can run all those operating systems virtualized from within Ubuntu, so I guess technically they're supported. ;-)

SP1

[MadUndergrad (950779)]

They only took it down because they forgot to replace all instances of "Ubuntu" with "Vista SP1". It'll be back fairly shortly, I'm sure.

Where can I

[Wooky_linuxer (685371)]

get the code? I downloaded this funky utility called Ubuntu from Microsoft, and it says in a funny EULA called GPL or something that I should be able to get the source code from whoever distributes it. Since my Windows system has been rock stable and much quicker after I installed this utility, I guess it's a keeper, and I think it is a pretty good marketing idea from Redmond to let us see how do they actually program these things. Course, this Ubuntu stuff is only a utilty or a driver according to that page, but even then this is pretty slick. Can you imagine if someone would let us see the source code for, say, a a WHOLE OPERATING SYSTEM? wow! Perhaps that is MS next step and this whole Ubuntu downloads are a marketing test. So spread the word guys...

It's a CNET thing

[KarmaMB84 (743001)]

You can get listed in the Windows Marketplace by signing up with a Microsoft partner or by signing up with CNET.com. Items in the Windows category end up in the same or equivalent category as they are on Download.com.

From the how to get listed page at the Windows Marketplace:
"Packaged Software, Hardware, & Devices: If your product is available in packaged format, you can offer it at Windows Marketplace by signing up with CNET.com."

The category for Ubuntu form Download.com:
Windows > Utilities & Drivers > Device Drivers > BIOS & System Updates

Eerily familiar, no?

This is a total non-story. Microsoft isn't distributing anything and CNET needs to fix their categories.

Looks like they took down "Driver Downloads"

[assassinator42 (844848)]

Compare the current page [windowsmarketplace.com] with the cache [72.14.209.104].
Looks like they took the entire "Driver Downloads" category, the one that Ubuntu was in, down.
Also, Notice what category Download.com has Ubuntu under [download.com]. BIOS & System Updates, same as the Microsoft page. So I'd wager that Microsoft was using a script to aggregate download links rather than do them by hand.
So, no joke by a Microsoft employee or anything like that.

Performance Review

[norminator (784674)]

I can't even imagine why they would do this [...] Hacked off employee that got a bad performance review?

Well, I'm pretty sure his next review is going to be even worse.

Re:How much do you want to bet

[jeevesbond (1066726)]

That makes a lot of sense, either that or a Microsoft grunt was playing a practical joke (whoever is responsible: they're playing with chairs IMO).

The breadcrumbs for that page backup your theory:

Downloads > Utility Downloads > System Downloads > Driver Downloads > BIOS & System Update Downloads > Ubuntu Desktop

Pretty weird place to put the download if they meant to be distributing it. :)

Re:confusing

[kebes (861706)]

Ah... apparently the download link was redirecting to CNET. So I guess Microsoft can claim, as they do with the Novel coupons, that they are not the ones actually distributing the binaries hence not bound by the GPL.

Re:confusing

[Smidge204 (605297)]

Too bad that argument doesn't work for torrent trackers. Yay double standard!

=Smidge=

Re:confusing

[_Hiro_ (151911)]

You also have the debate as to whether they were a distributor or merely a Vendor. If Staples carries a boxed copy of RHEL, they're not bound by the GPL anymore than they're bound by the EULA for Windows for carrying Vista.

Since it wasn't a Microsoft-Branded product, and was in their "Marketplace" area, not their downloads, they probably haven't incurred any liabilities at all.

Re:confusing

[_Sprocket_ (42527)]

Microsoft can certainly fire the employee, but they nevertheless distributed Ubuntu, which includes alot of GPL-software. This means that they are bound by the terms of the GPL. Among other things, this means that:

Microsoft has distributed GPL software in the past (Services for Unix). Just not Linux per se.