Linspire To Share Revenue With Linux System Builders

Linux seller Linspire on Thursday launched an incentive program that gives system builders a piece of the company's revenues when the computer makers pre-install Linspire or Freespire on desktop or notebook PCs.

The revamped Builder Program will pay system makers a percentage on all commercial Linux software and services bought by Linspire/Freespire users via the San Diego, Calif. company's Click 'N Run (CNR) technology. While Linspire didn't spell out the revenue sharing percentage, it did say that the pay-outs would be for any CNR purchases made within the first 18 months of each computer's lifespan.

CNR stocks more than 20,000 free and commercial Linux software applications in an e-store from which users can install, uninstall, update, and manage their Linux titles. Two weeks ago, Linspire dropped the $20 annual subscription fee it was charging for the basic CNR service.

Participating system builders can log on to a personalized portal that Linspire's created to review real-time data such as when their computer systems were first connected to the Internet, and their share of the revenue from each CNR purchase. Checks will be mailed quarterly, said Linspire.

"[Partners] wanted us to eliminate all barriers to enter the desktop Linux market for system builders of all sizes and help them generate more profit per computer shipped out the door," said Larry Kettler, Linspire's vice president for sales and marketing, in a statement. "This new program does both."

More information on the new program has been posted to the Linspire Web site.