Three big financial firms have come out of the closet and confirmed they have taken delivery of SUSE Linux subscriptions from Microsoft.

Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse and AIG Technologies have all signed up to the Franken-deal in the belief that it will make it easier to run Linux-based systems alongside Microsoft software.

Credit Suisse CIO Tom Sanzone said in a statement: "This is a great model because it provides a bridge to connect the open source and proprietary software to benefit customers."

This is in a Microsoft statement, remember, and we presume the "proprietary software" he's talking about is good old Windows.

Microsoft announced its tie-up with Novell back in November. Under the deal, Microsoft and Novell work together to promote interoperability between Windows and SUSE Linux.

Microsoft will also pledge not to prosecute SUSE users or developers for patent infringement – should that kind of spat ever arise - and spends $240m on subscription coupons for SUSE Linux and $94m promoting Windows/Linux over five years. One assumes it is these coupons that are finding their way into the customers announced today. ®

Related stories

• Lenovo to ship Linux laptops (6 August 2007)
• Industry comment Why the Novell and Microsoft deal is good for Linux (2 January 2007)
• Novell: in it for the interop, not the money (13 December 2006)
• Novell profitable as revenue drops (6 December 2006)
• Novell drops its Hula challenger to Microsoft (29 November 2006)
• Comment Microsoft and Novell: Bambi meets Godzilla? (29 November 2006)
• Microsoft to Novell: Respect (21 November 2006)
• 'Take your covenant and shove it', Samba tells Novell (13 November 2006)
• Microsoft bankrolls Novell to tune of $348m (8 November 2006)
• Comment MS and Novell: the end of a good feud (6 November 2006)
• Microsoft loves SUSE Linux (true!) (3 November 2006)
• Microsoft to support Novell's cancer (2 November 2006)