I love this. Microsoft was represented on a panel alongside SUN, HP and Novell at the recent LinuxExpo. When asked about competition from Linux in the laptop space the Microsoft representative replied…
"I think there is a couple of really interesting things to come out of this. Firstly is, we don't sell laptops so what these companies choose to do with their products is up to them. Despite what you may think, there is no restriction in the licensing terms with either of these companies that says they can't provide naked machines—they can absolutely do that. If you look at the DOJ agreement from some time ago now, one of things we are restricted from doing by law is putting in clauses that would do that sort of thing. It may have happened in the past, it certainly doesn't happen anymore. So don't blame us." <—-emphasis mine
