Various Microsoft Corp. executives have characterized Linux in quite different terms, ranging from their biggest competition to a passing fad. Microsoft Windows operating-system chief Jim Allchin, however, seems to be the first to imply that Microsoft may need protection from the open-source OS, which he says is threat to innovation that US policy makers need to understand.

"I'm an American, I believe in the American Way... I worry if the government encourages open source, and I don't think we've done enough education of policymakers to understand the threat."

One Linux developer noted in response that leading US companies including IBM and Hewlett-Packard sell Linux-based products and promote open-source projects.

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