The Linux Foundation Collaboration Summit started off with a town-hall-style question-and-answer session with about 70 representatives of kernel developers, Linux users, and independent software vendors.

The gathering was intended as a show of force in the face of Microsoft's announcements of deals with Novell, distributor of SUSE Linux, and two small distributors, Xandros and Korean device manufacturer LG Electronics. All three companies gain protection in the pacts from any future Microsoft patent action.