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Unix, Linux, & Macintosh
Microsoft Denies Linux Scam

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jaelanicu

Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 11:02 am

PRO Level 9

Joined: 11 Aug 2004
Posts: 383
Location: Indonesia

Microsoft Denies Nigerian Linux Scam
By Sean Michael Kerner
November 2, 2007

Microsoft is a tremendous competitor in every market in the world. And according to a letter written by Mandriva Linux CEO Francois Bancilhon, it's so bent on winning that it undercut a deal between the Nigerian government and the Linux vendor.

The letter details circumstances that might raise some ethical questions about Microsoft's competitive practices. It alleges that the Nigerian government has modified a deal it had with Mandriva for 17,000 PCs using the Intel Classmate PC running on Mandriva Linux to instead run Microsoft Windows. "I would not say it got dirty, but someone could have said that," Bancilhon wrote in his letter to Ballmer.

"Your team fought and fought again the deal, but still the customer was happy with the CMPC (Classmates PC) and Mandriva." Microsoft denies any wrongdoing in the affair. "Microsoft has a strong relationship with the government in Nigeria and will continue to partner with government and industry to help meet their needs," a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement sent to InternetNews.com.

"Microsoft operates its business in accordance both with the laws of the countries in which it operates and with international law." Bancilhon goes on to note that Mandriva actually closed the deal and that the machines are in the process of being delivered.