Turbolinux and Microsoft are extending their collaboration agreement to improve interoperability and co-operate on research and development.

Turbolinux customers will also be protected against possible future legal action by Redmond.

Steve Ballmer recently named Red Hat as a violator of Microsoft patents. Red Hat and Novell are being sued for patent infringment by IP Innovation, a patent-holding firm.

Turbolinux distributes Linux desktop and server operating systems especially in China and Japan.

A major part of the deal is the development of single sign-on for Windows and Linux devices. Password problems are a big IT headache for large organisations.

The deal also includes a "Workgroup Server Protocol Program evaluation license". Access to workgroup server protocols was a major part of the European Commission's anti-trust action against Microsoft.

An R&D lab will be set up in Microsoft's Beijing office. Also included in the deal is intellectual property assurance for Turbolinux Server customers.

Finally, Turbolinux desktop will now include Microsoft's Live Search.

Microsoft's press statement is here. ®

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