Open source increasingly

Intellectual property disputes are a familiar way to compete in the technology market and Microsoft is probably the most frequently used method. But is this still a good solution for them?

Open source software to the throne

The accusation Mr. Ballmer gave to Red Hat on October 4 "added fuel" to the fierce confrontation between the world's largest software company and the open source community.

Many observers agree that Redmond is actually just trying to pressure, forcing other tech firms to negotiate a certain license fee.

In fact, Mr. Ballmer's statement is hardly surprising because Microsoft is a 'rich traditional' firm that uses technology patents to compete. They once claimed that Linux violated its total of 235 technology copyrights.

Earlier, in June 2002, Gary Campbell - who later became vice president of HP's strategic architecture - warned the open source community, especially the Linux community about the risk of "war." legal 'with Microsoft.

Microsoft should temporarily shake hands with . pirated software ?!( Illustration ).

In November 2005, OIN (Open Invention Network) was established to represent major technology companies fighting Linux protection from pressure from Microsoft. In August, Google 'search giant' also officially joined the alliance. The war is increasingly detrimental to Microsoft.

In Europe, Windows dominates the operating system market with over 90% market share. In Asia, the operating system is equally popular, but the difference is that most Windows users do not buy copyright.

The cause is too clear: the income level of Asian people (except for some countries such as Japan, Korea, Singapore, .) has not been able to keep up with the price of Microsoft software. Therefore, they only have two options: pirated software or open source software.

Many experts have voiced support for open source software, considering it a practical solution to help developing countries integrate with the world without worrying about huge investments in software. right.

What solution for Microsoft?

In the developing countries market, Microsoft currently has only one advantage: people still believe that open source software is difficult to use (due to the psychological fear of switching to new software).

Microsoft certainly cannot fold its arms and look at the shrinking market share. On the one hand, they conducted 'legal war' with the open source community; on the other hand, they actively fight pirated software. But in the end, they are tying their feet, and Linux and the open source community are still growing.

Henry Chesbrough - Executive Director of the Open Inventory Center at the Haas Economic Institute, University of Berkely - in an article published in BusinessWeek argued that Linux's biggest competitive advantage over Windows is price.

Therefore, instead of simultaneously fighting on two fronts, Microsoft could completely ignore the copyright issue to strengthen Windows' dominance in this potential market. If Microsoft suddenly 'emulates' Windows, Linux will surely face many difficulties.

Open source software is gradually becoming a strategic solution for developing countries to integrate with the world. Microsoft will not be able to stop both Linux and software piracy at the same time.

Dong Quang