When Firestar Software sued Red Hat for patent infringement in 2006, we thought it might be more about the startup garnering name recognition than winning injunctive relief or money damages. The whole way along, Red Hat has denied the infringement occurred, but last week the leading Linux distributor settled the patent disputes. In doing so, the company not only protected its own interests in the JBoss technologies at issue in the case, but also the interests of the technologies' other users. Open source enthusiasts are pleased with the terms, which protect Red Hat's customers and competitors alike.