A FOSS event should ideally have no criteria for participation. The F stands for free=freedom after all.
True
Conversely, is there any way a Linux company can participate in an
Microsoft promoting event and talk about the virtues of Linux?
Let us find out by proposing such a participation at next MS event and if they refuse try to highlight it in press. Unfortunately most of the main stream press does not know or care.
The "care" or "don't care" depends on the writing style as well and not just the subject.
Hmm... one interesting thing here is that is M$ going to be allowed to criticize GNU/Linux, or spread their unique vision of how the world ought to be(which clearly conflicts every bit of GNU/Linux philosophy) most of the GNU/Linux crowd would not be very keen on coming to the event.
Regards,
- vihan