Novell Settles One Antitrust Claim with Microsoft, Plans to File Suit on Second Claim

Novell and Microsoft just settled a potential lawsuit related to Novell's NetWare operating system for $536 million. Novell also announced it will file an antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft related to WordPerfect. Sadly, Novell has agreed to withdraw its intervention in the European Commission’s case with Microsoft as a final stipulation to this settlement. Amazing what boatloads of money will do for you. The question here is, was the recent departure of Open Source Advocate VP Chris Stone related to this in any way – be it a mandate from MSFT or a protest by Chris, or is it just completely coincidental (I've certainly hear other rumors floating around). More questions than answers on this one…
–jeremy