Microsoft launches an open source foundation

Software giant Microsoft has launched an 'open source' collaboration.

Dubbed the CodePlex Foundation, it builds on the efforts of Microsoft's Codeplex software repository.

Microsoft launched its open source initiative in the same week that it was trying to off-load a bundle of patents to the nearest patent troll in a bid to scupper Linux.

The foundation is initially being funded by Microsoft and will be led by Novell's Miguel de Icaza, who will join the new foundation's Board of Directors.

Novell and Microsoft have previously agreed not to sue each other with regards to software patents.

According to a Microsoft FAQ, Codeplex was started in 2006 as a project hosting site to meet the needs of commercial developers. The Foundation is related but it will be a separate effort.

The idea of Codeplex is to bring open source and commercial software developers together in a place where they can collaborate.

The Foundation will be independent from the project hosting site.

The Foundation appears to be trying to convince open source developers to work on Microsoft related software projects.

While Linux and other software applications covered by the GPL (general public license) have lots of developers who will work on them, Microsoft has historically been treated with suspicion and actively mocked by open source pundits.

In a statement, Microsoft said it believes that commercial software companies and the developers that work for them under-participate in open source projects.