Author: JT Smith
Linux Journal: “Business history teaches the following lesson: When a market-dominating firm engages in a FUD campaign of this magnitude, it’s not merely because they’re
scared of competition from a new market entrant. Often, it’s because the new market entrant is seen to challenge the business model that has enabled the
market-dominant firm to make huge gobs of money. I believe the GPL does pose a threat to Microsoft’s business model, and that’s why the free software
licensing scheme is under such concerted attack. Specifically, the GPL threatens Microsoft’s ability to preserve what economists and legal scholars (as well as
the judge in the Microsoft antitrust case) call the “application barrier to entry”–the primary means by which Microsoft has been able to establish and preserve
commanding dominance in its core markets.”
scared of competition from a new market entrant. Often, it’s because the new market entrant is seen to challenge the business model that has enabled the
market-dominant firm to make huge gobs of money. I believe the GPL does pose a threat to Microsoft’s business model, and that’s why the free software
licensing scheme is under such concerted attack. Specifically, the GPL threatens Microsoft’s ability to preserve what economists and legal scholars (as well as
the judge in the Microsoft antitrust case) call the “application barrier to entry”–the primary means by which Microsoft has been able to establish and preserve
commanding dominance in its core markets.”
Category:
- Open Source
