NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: DAVE KEARNS ON WINDOWS NETWORKING TIPS 11/17/04 Today's focus: Microsoft gets into the insurance game
Dear [EMAIL PROTECTED], In this issue: * Microsoft vows to indemnify customers against legal suits * Links related to Windows Networking Tips * Featured reader resource _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by Intel IT Productivity; Increasing ROI Learn how to effectively measure employee productivity, manage IT investments and reduce the Total Cost of Ownership in enterprise data management. Visit Intel's IT Productivity center. Click here to download white papers, books and IDC Research. http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=88363 _______________________________________________________________ DOWNLOAD INDUSTRY WHITE PAPERS NOW NW Fusion's White Paper Library is your source for the latest industry white papers. Recent additions to the library include white papers on WLAN Security; IT Documentation; protecting the internal network from worms, Trojan horses, and other malware threats; measuring employee productivity and more. Click here to download: http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=88302 _______________________________________________________________ Today's focus: Microsoft gets into the insurance game By Dave Kearns It was big news last January when Novell told users of its SuSE Linux software that it would indemnify them against patent and copyright claims from other software vendors (see links below). Novell wanted to reassure its customers that the actions of The SCO Group, which is claiming that all sorts of its rights are being violated in Linux distributions, would not have a harmful effect on customers' businesses. So last week, when Microsoft announced that it would indemnify its customers - who was it planning to protect us from? Microsoft had already concluded a licensing deal with SCO last May to acquire the ability to legitimize any of SCO's intellectual property that might happen to occur in Microsoft products, so there'd be no reason for SCO - that most litigious of software vendors - to attempt a move on Microsoft customers. Recently, Redmond has also reached agreements on a number of outstanding lawsuits - most notably with Novell and the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) - but few of those involved misuse of intellectual property. Even the disputes with Real Networks and Burst.com involve anti-trust and anti-competitive actions rather than intellectual property rights. There is still that nagging, on-again, off-again, do-they-or-don't-they-have-a-patent litigation with Eolas ( <http://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0306eolaspaten.html> ). Still, most knowledgeable gurus believe that Eolas cannot prevail on that issue. So, as I asked, who is Microsoft going to indemnify against? Actually, it's really a ploy. A scheme. A marketing-driven campaign. Here's the thinking: * Linux vendors are indemnifying their customers against ��intellectual property suits. * Customers see the indemnification as a free legal insurance ��policy. * If Novell can give its customers a free insurance policy, ��shouldn't Microsoft? Redmond's marketing geniuses hope that businesses see "indemnification" as some great feature of an operating system, application or service. Certainly no one looks forward to being sued, so Microsoft gets to make a big splash announcing the indemnification program. It gets to tout its "blanket" indemnification coverage when going head-to-head with other operating system vendors for your business. IBM, facing a suit from SCO, isn't as able to offer blanket protection for you. It's a cheap marketing ploy by Microsoft and shouldn't be a factor in your decision about choosing an operating system vendor. RELATED EDITORIAL LINKS Novell to indemnify SuSE customers IDG News Service, 01/12/04 http://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0112noveltoin.html Microsoft to indemnify most users from legal threats IDG News Service, 11/10/04 http://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/1110microtoin.html Solaris 10 garners positive reviews Network World, 11/15/04 http://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/111504solaris10.html _______________________________________________________________ To contact: Dave Kearns Dave Kearns is a writer and consultant in Silicon Valley. He's written a number of books including the (sadly) now out of print "Peter Norton's Complete Guide to Networks." His musings can be found at Virtual Quill <http://www.vquill.com/>. Kearns is the author of three Network World Newsletters: Windows Networking Tips, Novell NetWare Tips, and Identity Management. Comments about these newsletters should be sent to him at these respective addresses: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. Kearns provides content services to network vendors: books, manuals, white papers, lectures and seminars, marketing, technical marketing and support documents. Virtual Quill provides "words to sell by..." Find out more by e-mail at <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by Intel IT Productivity; Increasing ROI Learn how to effectively measure employee productivity, manage IT investments and reduce the Total Cost of Ownership in enterprise data management. Visit Intel's IT Productivity center. Click here to download white papers, books and IDC Research. http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=88364 _______________________________________________________________ ARCHIVE LINKS Breaking Windows networking news from Network World, updated daily: http://www.nwfusion.com/topics/win2000.html Archive of the Windows Networking Tips newsletter: http://www.nwfusion.com/newsletters/nt/index.html _______________________________________________________________ FEATURED READER RESOURCE NEW! Website dedicated to Networking for Small Business now available The editors of NW Fusion and PC World have combined all their expert advice, authority, and know-how into a powerful new tool for small businesses, the new Networking for Small Business website. Get news, how-to's, product reviews, and expert advice specifically tailored to your small business needs. Find help with Security, Broadband, Networking, Hardware, Software, and Wireless & Mobile technology at: <http://www.networkingsmallbusiness.com/> _______________________________________________________________ May We Send You a Free Print Subscription? You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered at your fingertips each day. Now, extend your knowledge by receiving 51 FREE issues to our print publication. Apply today at http://www.subscribenw.com/nl2 International subscribers click here: http://nww1.com/go/circ_promo.html _______________________________________________________________ SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World e-mail newsletters, go to: <http://www.nwwsubscribe.com/Changes.aspx> To unsubscribe from promotional e-mail go to: <http://www.nwwsubscribe.com/Preferences.aspx> To change your e-mail address, go to: <http://www.nwwsubscribe.com/ChangeMail.aspx> Subscription questions? 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