According to Reuters, The proprietors of the open source Linux source code (the Free Software Foundation) may withhold its' use to selective companies, effectively ending Linux' reign as an open source operating system:

"Novell angered members of the open-source community that develops Linux and other free software programs in November when it entered a wide-ranging business deal with Microsoft.

Critics called on the board to punish Novell by banning it from distributing new versions of Linux software, said Moglen.

Linux is the most popular variant of open-source software. Unlike proprietary software such as Microsoft Windows, open-source software lets developers share code and add functions and is generally available at no cost.

Moglen said the board has not made a decision on the matter but that he expects it to announce a ruling within two weeks.

If the foundation decides to take action, the ban would apply to new versions of Linux covered under a licensing agreement due to take effect in March."