According to Computerworld, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer Thursday declared his belief that the Linux operating system infringes on Microsoft’s intellectual property.
“Novell pays us some money for the right to tell customers that anybody who uses SUSE Linux is appropriately covered,” Ballmer said. This “is important to us, because [otherwise] we believe every Linux customer basically has an undisclosed balance-sheet liability.”
The Novell/Microsoft deal continues to unfold…
These are the ramblings of 
“Linux customer”? Nothing says clueless like using the phrase “Linux customer”.
In this case it’s a marketing tactic to group volume linux users, not individuals.