Should Microsoft's Amdocs Deal Worry Data Center Operators? 32
On Tuesday, Microsoft signed a patent cross-license agreement with Amdocs Software Systems. They specifically noted in their press release that the agreement covered Amdocs' use of 'Linux-based servers in its data centers,' and noted that Amdocs paid them money for the privilege. In light of the current state of mobile device licensing, with Microsoft getting a cut from most Android device sales, should data centers operators worry about having to pay Microsoft for their use of Linux servers? From the article: "To date, Linux advocates have been hypersensitive to any move Microsoft has made against the open-source OS—which, to be fair, Microsoft has seen as a threat since its inception. It's certainly possible that Amdocs approached Microsoft for a patent cross-license for its own purposes; but if that's the case, Amdocs would likely have disclosed that fact. Amdocs representatives declined to comment on the deal, and the arrangement has been completely ignored on the Amdocs Website. ... The question, though, is whether Microsoft will begin eyeing data-center operators as a similar source of licensing revenue. The company has avoided directly challenging Linux developer/distributors such IBM or Red Hat, instead targeting partners and customers."
Re:Moral of the story (Score:5, Interesting)
Actually they're brilliant.
They're slowly and quietly geting a hold of linux by using their patents. Quietly, I mean because there are no big lawsuits. They're easing into every possible niche where you find Linux.
Apple on the other hand, uses it's patents to bash anyone who opposes them, rocking the boat and pushing everyone out of their comfort zones. They're actually forcing the change of the patent laws.
I'd say it would be for the better, but considering how many laws got twisted back into something even more restrictive, I won't hold my breath. Well, in the USA anyway, the EU, seems to follow a different logic set.
Re:As a D level executive.... (Score:4, Interesting)
Doesn't that only apply to GPL3 software? Plus I'd think that assumes that the author of the code in question had rights to the patent.
The Nazgul are watching this closely (Score:5, Interesting)
When this becomes Important to IBM then the Blood Will Flow. The only reason we did not see real action from the Nazgul in The SCO case is that The MoFo ground them into paste (okay it took an obscenely long time but...
They try this with IBM or an IBM partner and they will be PASTE on a STICK.
Re:we're not sure they did (Score:4, Interesting)
Amdocs pretty much is the largest vendor of telecommunications ordering, CRM, and billing software in the world. Almost every telecom company of any sort of significant size (anywhere) uses their software. Given the size of these companies I figure this means a user base of at least tens of thousands of people (if not more). And it controls hundreds of millions if not billions of accounts. To implement their systems at large telcos you're looking at costs well north of half a billion dollars (if not closer to the big B), and take years to complete. (Granted not all the costs are Amdocs specific, but much is Amdocs related since a lot goes into systems integration, and it all figures into human and capital expenses).
The core of the systems normally run on Unix or Linux servers (and when I was there the back end used a mix of C, C++, and JEE). The front end is either web based or run on MS machines. And I am pretty sure they have a not insignificant IP portfolio too. Given they set the hardware and software requirements for these systems, and given the size of these systems, ya just gotta figure they have a fair bit of leverage, and turn a lot of heads at their vendors (like MS, IBM, Oracle, HP, etc etc etc etc etc). And since, as some former (like me) and current employees of Amdocs like to say, they exhibit the finest execution of the umbrella principle ever, their influence on systems specifications doesn't end at the end of the implementation project. Once they get in a telco they are there for ever (like an umbrella inserted up your ass and then opened). Most companies wish they could execute this so well. So their influence extends for years into support contracts as well. So ya, go figure.