A new member joins the hallowed ranks of Platinum Linux Foundation Membership-- HP, who now pays an annual investment worth all of $500000 to the nonprofit organisation.
As you might guess Platinum status is not for everyone, even within the free Linux operating system. Alongside HP, only Fujitsu, IBM, NEC, Oracle, Qualcomm and Samsung have such elevated level.
Platinum status gives HP a seat on the Linux Foundation board of directors, and allows the company to become more directly involved in Linux advocacy activities. No mention is given whether the company also gets a solid platinum model of Tux, the lovable Linux penguin mascot...
Why would HP want to be so involved within Linux? The press statement from Cloud Computing and Open Source VP Eileen Evans gives very little in terms of hings, since it simply says "With Linux Foundation Platinum membership, [HP] will have a variety of ways to maximize our investment in Linux and collaborative development that advances our own business as well as greater industry innovation.”
HP already offers Red Hat Enterprise Linux and SUSE Enterprise Linux on servers and desktops, and certifies Ubuntu Linux for use in desktops and cloud-based environments. Maybe Linux (via webOS) features in HP's plans to reenter the mobile market?
The membership level beneath Platinum is Gold and demands an annual investment of (only?) $100000. It includes the likes of Dell, AMD, Cisco, Google, Huawei, Motorola, Nokia and Sony, among others.