Details of the Microsoft-Novell Linux deal inked last November became public this week as the Linux vendor filed its annual report and SEC 10K documents. The filings offer access to the agreement Novell signed with Microsoft to distribute SuSE Linux without any risk of Microsoft patent claims.

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The regulatory filings also suggest that changes to the General Public License (GPL) could put the kibosh on the distribution deal between the two technology titans. Specifically, Novell’s filing said that proposed revisions to version 3 of the GPL could force it to modify its relationship with Microsoft or “explore alternatives” to the deal.

Here’s the rub: The current draft version of the GPL’s third version clearly states that Linux distributors cannot “convey a covered work if [they] are a party to an arrangement with a third party that is in the business of distributing software” if the arrangement offers patent protection in exchange for cash. That caveat seems to describe the Novell-Microsoft deal perfectly.

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