Red Hat Calls Microsoft Attack Unsubstantiated
Speaking in an interview with Linux Magazine, Germany, Werner Knoblich, Red Hat Germany boss, and Red Hat Vice President EMEA, called the verbal attacks by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer unsubstantiated.
LM: Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer again demanded license payments from Linux users at a conference in Great Britain, and specifically referred to Red Hat (see separate news item). What will Red Hat’s response to the new attacks be?
Knoblich: We don’t respond to unsubstantiated attacks like this. Instead we will carry on doing our jobs, which are optimizing software and services for our customers to offer the greatest possible value at the lowest possible price. Nothing can distract our attention from our mission.
LMO: Would Microsoft have any chance of success with a lawsuit against Linux users?
Knoblich: Just like other vendors, Microsoft has been unable to substantiate patent infringements or claims for license fees against Open Source software. In fact, Microsoft has not even said what these claims are based on. Our customers are also protected by our Open Source Assurance policy. This insurance guarantees that, if patent infringements are proved by anyone, anywhere, we will replace the affected code for our customer with code that provides the same functionality but does not infringe on any patents. But like I said, no infringements have been proved. As the Linux source code is open, it would be easy to demonstrate infringements, if there were any. As this has never happened in all the years that Linux has been around, you can safely assume that there are no infringements. In contrast to this, proprietary vendors are continually forced to admit to patent infringements. I would worry if I used proprietary software. Our customers are definitely on the safe side, thanks to the Open Source Assurance.

Red Hat Germany boss Werner Knoblich talking about Steve Ballmer’s attacks.
LMO: What does Red Hat suspect is the motive for the recent attacks?
Knoblich: We could only speculate on that, but we prefer to go about our core business.
LMO: Have there been talks on cooperation with Microsoft on anything beyond interoperability of the two operating systems?
Knoblich: We are still talking to Microsoft about interoperability: this applies in particular to our JBoss Enterprise Middleware, but we rule out an agreement on patents like the one concluded between Novell and Microsoft.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.