" The liability coverage, according to the companies, enables the Seoul, South Korea-based Samsung to use the Linux operating system in its products without the liability risk that Microsoft will sue it or its customers. "

" Microsoft will similarly be able to use Samsung's patents for computer-related and digital-media products. The financial terms were not disclosed, but the companies said that financial payments will be made to compensate both parties "for the value of their portfolios." "

" Microsoft noted that, in the last 12 months, it has inked similar arrangements with such companies as Fuji "

" Following the announcement of the Novell cross-licensing pact in November of last year, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said that users of Linux were engaged in an unauthorized use of Microsoft's intellectual property. "Every Linux customer," he reportedly said at the time, "basically has an undisclosed balance-sheet liability." Members of the Linux open-source community protested his remarks. "

" After its deal with Microsoft created controversy, Novell took exception with Ballmer's interpretation. "Our agreement with Microsoft is in no way an acknowledgment that Linux infringes upon any Microsoft intellectual property," Ron Hovsepian, Novell President and CEO, said in a statement at the time. "When we entered the patent cooperation agreement with Microsoft, Novell did not agree or admit that Linux or any other Novell offering violates Microsoft patents." "

" The Open Invention Network (OIN), an alliance whose members include Sony, IBM, NEC, Red Hat, Philips, and Novell itself, has been obtaining patents or patent agreements to avoid any claims against those who use Linux. Launched in 2005, OIN makes its patents available, free of charge, to "any company, institution or individual that agrees not
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