IDG: Linux Version of Acquired Antivirus Product Doomed. Users and resellers of RAV AntiVirus, especially popular on Linux platforms, are in limbo after Microsoft’s decision to buy the RAV technology from Romania’s GeCAD Software Srl. Microsoft plans to discontinue the RAV product line after completing its acquisition. GeCAD, which claims that its products protect more than 10 million users worldwide, will support current customers through the end of their contracts.
Back when the United States enforced its antitrust laws in the technology sphere, this might have been prevented. Now that Microsoft is a partner of George W. Bush’s administration — in ways we still probably don’t fully know about — it can do anything it pleases.
Kinder, gentler Microsoft? The company’s pretenses in that direction do not hold up to even the most basic scrutiny.