What is Mono? (Moonlight)
Mono is a software platform designed to allow developers to easily create cross platform applications. It is an open source implementation of Microsoft's .Net Framework based on the ECMA standards for C# and the Common Language Runtime. We feel that by embracing a successful, standardized software platform, we can lower the barriers to producing great applications for Linux. http://mono-project.com/Main_Page



But Beware! the [joint] Novell/Microsoft Website
http://www.moreinterop.com/NewsAndEvents.aspx
is now calling Mono... "Microsoft Moonlight" and licensing conflicts are coming to light....

""The way the Microsoft covenant reads to me," says the author, "only Novell can distribute Moonlight. So, if you are non-Novell user, it won't be something that is wrapped up in your distro."

""Unless [the] distribution wants to risk hot water or out side where Microsoft rules apply," adds oiaohm in an informal IRC conversation.

"There is also "the expectation is that users will get the distro from wherever and then download Moonlight from Novell," remarks the author."

"Well, guess what? Debian Legal has just received the following from Saul Goode, who had taken a look at Moonlight licensing; it does not seem too good. Fedora (Red Hat) reached the same conclusion after the SFLC had taken a look at the Moonlight licence and did not like what's in it."

Reference: Moonlight packaging License

"There are serious concerns about Moonlight, due to Microsoft and Novell's public statements around its inclusion in their "covenant". In addition to that Groklaw has posted a FAQ from Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC) on the issues with this patent "covenant". Accordingly, this technology (with, or without codecs), is considered too risky, and is not acceptable for inclusion in Fedora"
https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/ForbiddenItems#Moonlight