Skeptical Reactions To SCO From Around The Globe 495
IpsissimusMarr writes "The Inquirer reports that 'The biggest computer manufacturers in Japan that build systems running Linux will hold out against blustering by SCO to extract license fees based upon unsubstantiated infringement claims, it has emerged.' Its nice to see more support from the business world denouncing SCO's tactics."
janda writes "ComputerWorld is reporting that several companies, including Coastal Transportation, Burlington Coat Factory, and Boscov's Department Store are taking a wait-and-see attitude towards SCO and their new 'Linux license' arrangement.
Best quote from the article:
'I don't remember signing anything with SCO saying I owe them any kind of licensing fees.' (Tom Pratt, Coastal Transportation)
I find it refreshing that companies are starting to stand up to SCO's blackmail attempts."
An anonymous reader points to this story at Mozillaquest according to which IBM says that SCO does not have a viable claim to JFS, NUMA, RCU, etc., writing "IBM says it owns the AIX code it contributed to the Linux kernel despite SCO claims that it has registered its Unix System V copyrights. A big problem for IBM and the GNU/Linux community might be the inclusion of JFS, NUMA software, RCU, etc into the Linux kernel. SCO claims it owns them. However, IBM, SuSE, and kernel.org's Richard Gooch reject SCO-Caldera and Darl McBride's claims that GNU/Linux contains SCO-owned or SCO-copyrighted code. ... The Linux kernel code is copyrighted under the GNU GPL. IBM owns its AIX additions and copyrights to Unix System V code and its development of JFS, RCU, and NUMA software code."
arilian writes "According to this article from ARNnet, SCO's new license may leave them open to litigation by other contributers to the Linux kernel." Bruce Perens and intellectual property lawyer Jim LaBarre are quoted in this one.
Finally, Joe Barr writes "I just filed a complaint against The SCO Group with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It was easy. I used their online complaint form at:
www.sec.gov/complaint/cf942sec9570.htm.
The basis for my complaint is that SCO is using false and unsubstantiated claims of IP rights to UNIX and Linux in order to manipulate its stock price and force consumers to purchase SCO licenses.
Maybe someone else would like to do the same."
Apathy (Score:5, Insightful)
SEC Form (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:SEC Form (Score:5, Informative)
355 South 520 West
Suite 100
Lindon, Utah 84042 USA
801-765-4999 phone
801-765-1313 fax
Re:SEC Form (Score:3, Informative)
The SCO Group
355 South 520 West
Suite 100
Lindon, Utah 84042 USA
801-765-4999 phone
801-765-1313 fax
Re:SEC Form (Score:3, Informative)
If someone can show me where I'm wrong in this line of thought, though, I'm all ears...
Re:SEC Form (Score:3, Informative)
And anyways, even if you don't own stock, if you use linux, contribute to linux, or are in IT in general, you are affected by SCO's illegal actions. They hurt your *stock in trade*; a black eye against linux lessens your chance of using it, or
Re:SEC Form (Score:3, Insightful)
So the good news is most of us can use the SEC complaint form. The bad news is that we own (indirectly) some SCO stock.
What about BBB? (Score:3, Informative)
I am not sure which of these apply, but I know Misleading Advertising, Improper Selling Practices, and Misrepresentation and what I would
Re:What about BBB? (Score:3, Informative)
Better Business Bureau of Utah 5673 S. Redwood Rd., #22 Salt Lake City, UT 84123 -5322 Phone: (801)892-6009 Fax: (801)892-6002 Email: complaints@utah.bbb.org WWW: http://www.utah.bbb.org
And the BBB has somewhat dated information still referring to them as Caldera. You may wish to reference the company as:
Caldera International 355 South 520 West Lindon, UT 84042 (801) 765-4999 http://sco.com
Re:Apathy (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Apathy (Score:5, Funny)
I don't know, and I don't care.
Re:Apathy (Score:4, Insightful)
I would imagine one of the few questions I have above apply to many people out there, who are indeed very concerned about what this all means.
Re:Apathy (Score:3, Interesting)
This is a situation where "involved parties" need to step up and take action. This is what has happened in both Germany and Austrailia. The same needs to happen in any country where SCO has a presence.
Yeah, that'll work (Score:5, Informative)
The bottom line is that nothing SCO says can be trusted. They are a lawsuit company now and will use any pretext to harass developers and users and pump their stock price. I fully expect that if everyone did revert to 2.2 kernels that SCO would find something to extort with there as well.
Re:Yeah, that'll work (Score:5, Funny)
I fully expect that if everyone did revert to 2.2 kernels that SCO would find something to extort with there as well.
You do realize that taint, like water, runs downhill, don't you. I'm just waiting for a warning letter from SCO about my Atari 600XL in the basement.
Re:Yeah, that'll work (Score:3, Interesting)
That's simply not true. In earlier interviews [mozillaquest.com], SCO said that "the tainted code is not in the Linux kernel that Linus [Torvalds] and others have helped develop. We're talking about what's on the periphery of the Linux kernel."
That is directly contradicted by their current (incredible) claim that there is hundreds of thousands of lines of their code throughout the kernel.
There is a
Student scared off Linux in .AU (Score:4, Interesting)
One word: Insane.
Re:Student scared off Linux in .AU (Score:4, Insightful)
One word: stupid.
as far as posting a link for people to complain to the SEC about SCO's actions and how they are just to increase stock value... Great, just what we need. The SEC getting annoyed because 10k geeks decided to spam their form with anti-SCO propaganda.
A few submissions are fine, a flood, no. I am sure that they are well aware of what SCO is doing and watching closely.
Do you think that they don't read the news?
Re:Student scared off Linux in .AU (Score:4, Insightful)
Agreed. This isn't a freaking petition, or a web poll. If there's a legal case to be made, IBM probably has a lawyer or two on staff who can make the complaint more properly and direct it to the appropriate ears more directly than could be accomplished by thousands of shrieking Slashbots.
Re:Student scared off Linux in .AU (Score:5, Informative)
Look on the page, where does it tell you that only people with a REALLY GOOD REASON are allowed to fill out the form?
Re:Student scared off Linux in .AU (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Apathetic Ass (Score:4, Informative)
It's not a 'cant-do' attitude, it's a "Don't throw your energy into something futile" attitude. What he's really saying is "find a better solution."
Re:Student scared off Linux in .AU (Score:3, Insightful)
There are few machines that will not run just as well with the 2.2.x kernels as any of the recent kernels. In some cases even better according to some people.
Re:Student scared off Linux in .AU (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Student scared off Linux in .AU (Score:4, Informative)
That is like saying I replaced my old car with a new one, and I can't find the engine crank. Linux Ext filesystems dont need to be defragmented my friend, and with ext3, no more scanDisk/fsck crap. Defreagging and scanDisk are outdated obsolete processes, replaced by superior technology. [linux.org]
As for token-ring support, its there, I've never used it, but I know Linux has it.
Re:Student scared off Linux in .AU (Score:3, Insightful)
My favorite... (Score:5, Funny)
www.sec.gov/complaint/cf942sec9570.htm. The basis for my complaint is that SCO is using false and unsubstantiated claims of IP rights to UNIX and Linux in order to manipulate its stock price and force consumers to purchase SCO licenses.
I hope they don't just ignore the barrage of complaints they start receiving at 12:17PM, PST...
Re:My favorite... (Score:2, Funny)
-c
Re:My favorite... (Score:3, Insightful)
Today's mail (Score:4, Funny)
FROM: CHRIS SONTAG
Do not be surprised at receiving this important mail. An influential top government functionaire gave me your name and assured me of your transparancy. The trama, humiliation and deprivation which I and my family have suffered since the death of Novell has kept me in focus on searching out the possibilities of safe guarding the colosal sums of money Ray Noorda left behind.
Presently my elder business partner Darl McBride cannot be reached because he is under the detention by the ruthless Secret Order of the Penguin, a devious band of open source terrorists. At the moment, I have thirty three million US dollars ($33,000,000) currently deposited in a friendly Utah Senator's personal account. I will be sending somebody there for both of you to work together in due course. With the present disposition of this Senator, all monies kept by Mr. Noorda are attempted to be recovered by the current administration. On this note I desire your urgent attention to assist me secure the aformentioned sum in any bank account you may furnish me with.
We would avail ourselves of a total loss of the whole sum depending upon the promptness to furnish me with this required information which will permit me to facilitate instructions and signal the Senator for expedient transfer of this funds for your account.
For you providing me with this account and well partaking in this transaction I will oblige you what ever SCO UNIX license ever you desire on request or to be more specific I will oblige you unlimited personal license and one compiler license for server edition.
The urgency of this matter desires shall be treated with all promptness as any day that passes poses a bigger threat. You must understeand that this transaction should be treated with all secrecy. Under no means should you use a Linux computer to communicate with me as the Penguin Order is watching vigilently. Please contact me through email csontag@sco.com as soon as you receive this letter on your preparedness to assist me.
Regards,
C. Sontag
yea! a sco post (Score:4, Funny)
sco section.
Re:yea! a sco post (Score:3, Funny)
Why create a section for a company that will cease to exist in a few months?
Re:yea! a sco post (Score:3, Funny)
Strange bedfellows (Score:3, Funny)
<BillMurrayVoice>... dogs and cats, living together... </BillMurrayVoice>
Let us overwhelm them (Score:4, Interesting)
Maybe someone else would like to do the same."
If a lot of people file complaints, perhaps that will cause the SEC, or the government in general, to take some serious notice of this serious problem.
Re: Let us overwhelm them (Score:4, Interesting)
> If a lot of people file complaints, perhaps that will cause the SEC, or the government in general, to take some serious notice of this serious problem.
Think carefully before you file, because a big pile of perceived frivolous complaints isn't likely to help.
However, my gut feel is that this is worth having the SEC look in to. All those stock specials for the board members a few weeks before the FUD started really raise the suspicion of some insider arrangements on a stock scam.
It would be nice if the FTC would look in to the FUD and extortion, too.
Don't forget to mention Vultus (Score:5, Informative)
If you do decide to file, don't forget to mention the recent Vultus purchase. Vultus is owned by The Canopy Group, the same people who own a large portion of SCO. Both SCO and Vultus are in the same Lindon, Utah building owned by The Canopy Group. Seems to me that an argument could be made for an Enron like shuffling of companies.
Make specious claims about SCO IP. Run up the stock price. Sell some of that and use the funds to purchase other companies in the portfolio. Book the profit.
Re:Don't forget to mention Vultus (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Don't forget to mention Vultus (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Don't forget to mention Vultus (Score:4, Funny)
Ooops.... (Score:5, Funny)
Seriously though, I'm waiting for Big Blue to bitchslap SCO, and jar them something fierce. It's like National Geographic right before the shark devours the minnow: You know what's going to happen, you are just waiting for it.
Personally, I'd like to see SCO get bought out by the Linux community, who then votes to oust the CEOs without a golden parachute.
Hmm... (Score:5, Funny)
Can't you imagine it?
ESR walks in, points to the CEOs, and goes, "Fired, Fired, Fired, Fired, and doubly Fired."
Then he files for chapter 11 so he doesn't have to pay the asshats their pension, sells it to Red Hat for a dollar, yanks the code, and walks out whistling.
Re:Hmm... (Score:3, Funny)
So long as you're dreaming, why not rent Steve Ballmer to do a "Fired!" dance?
Too bad you'd lose to a proxy fight (Score:3, Insightful)
Basically, as a share holder and a company, the shit SCO is doing (brain-dead, evil and pathetic as it is) is GOOD for the company. It's getting them press, increasing the stock price, and potentially generating revenue.
If you come in and put kibosh on all that, you're not acting in the company's best interest. And
Re:Too bad you'd lose to a proxy fight (Score:4, Insightful)
Ya know, I was initially disappointed that Monterey got canceled, but seeing SCO's true colors, I think that a successful project would've enabled them to be in stronger position when they would have inevitably pulled this Linux-hijacking attempt.
Re:Too bad you'd lose to a proxy fight (Score:5, Insightful)
Fill out the SEC form, talk to peers about the issue, do what you can to focus on the socially irresponsible aspects of SCO's misbehavior. Ok, so they didn't create capitalism as it's practiced in America, but they are reinforcing the very worst parts of it.
Oh wait, I'm wasting my breath. This is America, land where 40% of our Senators are millionaires.
Ever /used/ OpenServer or UNIXWare? (Score:5, Insightful)
The prices they charge for the crap they peddle are revolting, basically. It's UNIX all right - right out of '92.
Craig Ringer
Re:Ever /used/ OpenServer or UNIXWare? (Score:3, Insightful)
As for SCOAdmin, yeah I wish there was something as comprehensive for Linux. Preferably minus the flakey TCL coding that sometimes 'remembers' settings - and never runs again.
The one thing I'll say about OpenServer - it was a big upgrade from Xenix.
Do NOT buy them. (Score:5, Funny)
Publicly humiliate every SCO executive who had anything to do with this. Make them such social piriahs within the community that they won't even be able to get jobs working a tech support desk. Turn the shareholders into a pack of sharks hungry to feed on their flesh, perhaps by suing them each personally for their losses.
Do not do anything that could be construed as setting a precedent for the viability of SCO's tactics.
Millions for defence. Not one damned cent for tribute.
Then when they are dead, with a silver bullet and a stake in their miserable little whatever it is that passes for a heart in them, pick the corpse for UNIX rights. . . and give them away to the community.
KFG
Re:Ooops.... (Score:4, Insightful)
At least until you can do it for less than a penny a share, that would be a horribly stupid waste of money. They have liabilities out the ass, and no real assets. Their stock price is absurdly high. If we bought them out we'd just be making them rich and ourselves poor.
File FTC complaint against SCO! (Score:5, Informative)
To fill out the form, here is SCO's information:
The SCO Group
355 South 520 West
Suite 100
Lindon, Utah 84042 USA
801-765-4999 phone
801-765-1313 fax
Anyone who uses Linux is threatened by SCO and should file a complaint. I just filed mine, you should file yours too!
Oh great, how you're going to /. the SEC (Score:5, Funny)
Or call the newly created Corporate Fraud Hotline: (Score:3, Informative)
here. [fbi.gov]
God love the stinkin' gub'mint.
Curious (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Curious (Score:3, Informative)
You don't have to be directly affected. You could complain that you think they're just puming up the stock so they can sell out before the company crashes, similar to Enron. The fact that you don't own any SCO stock doesn't matter.
Re:Curious (Score:3, Insightful)
If these companies were smart they would use RICO - Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organiztions - act to sue. You CAN do that under civil litigation. It is the one leeway we all have when they start to threaten companies and individuals.
RICO would also bring in all of their officers, stockholders and investors under the same scrutiny. I
Re:Curious (Score:3, Interesting)
If you feel threatened by this attitude from SCO, then you need to take it to the FTC because where you live, extortion is most likely illegal.
You don't have to be threatened. Fraud is a crime. (Score:3, Interesting)
ROTFLMAO (Score:2, Interesting)
But after reading the zillionth manifesto, harebrained legal opinion and statement of noisy defiance from the Linux world, I have to confess my first reaction to learning there really is illegally-copied SCO code in Linux will be to laugh my ass off.
Geez, Joe Barr. Maybe the MPlayer guys will issue a rebuttal.
Re:ROTFLMAO (Score:3, Insightful)
You forget that YOU will be paying for SCO's inability to work or play well with others.
Or perhaps you don't pay any taxes.
You can complain.. (Score:3, Interesting)
You can complain about all the SCO articles, but really, people have to realize that this has a HUGE impact on software in general, not just *nix. The decision here will set a precedent to possibly be used for decades, if not a century
But, here's my gripe, which you can skip by not reading further. I would like to see more home-jobby builds, not necessarily case mods (though, i would like to get a layout of how to build an ATX wood case. heh). We like to see the simplest webservers, the cheapest way to do things on a college shoestring budget. I'd like to have an automatic CD-burner. I want to see what random Linux distros and programs can do for me, though i may never use them. More of the fodder! That is all. /rant
Am I the only one that has used SCO's UNIX here? (Score:4, Interesting)
In this world, your OS can't be "just as good as" Windows to survive. Linux, Solaris, AIX, and Mac OS X are each doing well because they are substantially better at what they do than the competition.
On the upside, they are allowing free use of Unix Version 7 [trailing-edge.com]. Well, sorta free. apt-get install simh and boot the sucker up if you want to see the somewhat humble beginnings of UNIX.
Suggestion (Score:3, Interesting)
Whiner... (Score:3, Insightful)
Look fucktard, this is one of the most relevant stories regarding the future of Linux. This is the main reason I am currently coming to
You don't like it? Skip past it...
IP law confusion (Score:2, Interesting)
OT, but this is the same as the p2p argument of too many people are already doing it. on the other hand, it just goes to show how confusing the ip laws and the relaxation of standards in the uspto regarding IP have become.
Complaints are good... (Score:5, Insightful)
Otherwise, you're just going to piss the SEC off, and open yourself up for a lible suit.
Re:Complaints are good... (Score:5, Interesting)
Otherwise, you're just going to piss the SEC off, and open yourself up for a lible suit.
There is some interesting evidence that this whole lawsuit is part of an insider trader scam. Look in the discussion from yesterday's SCO story, and you'll find some links to stuff on Nasdaq.com, and SEC filings, showing SCO executives purchasing SCO stock at bargain basement prices right before filing the lawsuit against IBM, and then you see those same executives selling may shares at dramatically inflated prices, in the last few weeks.
If you want to find the links quickly, take a lot at my recent postings, one of them is from yesterday, and it's where I posted exactly what I sent to the SEC.
SCO can't sue for attorney fees or punitive damage (Score:5, Informative)
What are SCO's actual damages from someone using Linux who would never have bought any SCO product in the first place? I mean, if I downloaded my ISO and burned it myself to install on 5 machines, it seems hard to argue that had Linux not included SCO IP, I would have purchased 5 copies of SCO UnixWare. No, if there had been no Linux, I'd have gone for one of the *BSD's. So even if SCO is correct, what are the actual damanges.
Doing some more copyright law searching.
Found these points at Bromberg and Sunstein LLP [bromsun.com]
Benefits of Federal Copyright Registration
Required for Infringement Suit. Generally speaking, unless the copyrighted work has been registered (or the Copyright Office has refused registration although the required deposit, application and fee were properly filed), a court action for infringement of the copyright will be dismissed.
Required for Statutory Damages. If registration is made within three months after the first publication of the work or prior to infringement, certain damages and attorneys' fees provided by law will be available, in addition to actual damages and lost profits.
Now, you can go to the Library of Congress Copyright site (www.copyright.gov) and search for the newly awarded SCO copyright: TX-5-705-356.
Notice that the SCO copyright lists publication date as 27Jun91, but registration date of 30Jun03. Combine that with "If registration is made within three months after the first publication of the work or prior to infringement, certain damages and attorneys' fees provided by law will be available, in addition to actual damages and lost profits." from above and it does seem like SCO will have a tough case to make in any litigation relating to copyright.
Presumption of Validity. In any judicial proceeding, a certificate of registration issued within five years of the first publication of the work confers a legal presumption that the copyright is valid and that all facts stated in the copyright registration certificate are true.
Also note that the 5 year presumption of validity time limit has expired.
Protection Against Importation of Infringing Copies. A copyright owner can record the registration with the U.S. Customs Service for protection against the importation of infringing works.
Wonder how much of the alleged infringing work was done overseas? Wasn't some of it supposed to have been done by a German Caldera employee? Wonder if SCO has taken this step yet?
Re:SCO can't sue for attorney fees or punitive dam (Score:3, Interesting)
Since SCO refuses to disclose which parts of the kernel contain "their" code (even when asked by Linus), and that they continue to make Linux freely available via their FTP site, the actual damages are zero.
Red Hat Response... (Score:5, Informative)
A Good Start (Score:5, Interesting)
It amazes me that a company can do as much dammage as SCO, even if it is at the time being only damage to a reputation, without having to offer some sort of proof. The government is supposed to hold people blameless until they can prove otherwise, but corporations can throw accusations around all they please. We can learn a lot from Germany and australia in this regard.
Calling LUGs in the Netherlands (Score:5, Informative)
which probably means one can file complaints against them under Dutch law as well.
Although I'm no expert on the dutch system, they presumably have the same level of consumer-protection as the rest of Europe, meaning that action against them here would probably be fruitful.
You know what's obscene about all this? (Score:4, Informative)
Before anybody files any complaints... (Score:5, Insightful)
I am not exactly sure just how the SEC should be approached with these issues. I am a Linux user, but SCO has not yet attempted to extort money from me. So I cannot issue a complaint on that basis.
However, we are all aware of SCO's activities, and we find them ethically wrong and quite likely illegal. So what I am asking is does anybody have a generic, factual complaint summary that can be submitted the SEC?
Most of us do not have time to pour over all of the material in this situation. Even if we could, most of us are not lawyers. Could someone who has an measure of authority on the subject volunteer some time advise the rest of us on how best to alert the SEC (or not to) without sounding like a bunch of Slashbots?
I imagine a lot of people here are going to get themselves in trouble with the SEC by making silly accusations and libelous statements. A good write up would be appreciated or good reasons not to complain unless you've been approached by SCO to ensure that doesn't happen
A good response, perhaps? (Score:4, Interesting)
SEC or FTC? (Score:5, Informative)
sPh
I had just thought it was moronic until... (Score:4, Interesting)
yea, they are all bluster and think they *have* something.. but look what happened with the
I will *never* allow this company or any others I work for to have any dealings with them now, and further I will urge any customer of mine to drop any dealings with them. That is power of Linux users I bet they never thought they would see..
I have purchasing power and you SCO will never see it. (I hope your stockholders read this)
Some SCO N E W S (Score:3, Interesting)
In other news, as of 15:07EST, this thread is one of the top stories on Google news.
Pre-filled SEC form to use to complain (Score:5, Informative)
http://www.vodkatea.com/sec.html
IANAL... (Score:3, Interesting)
I am getting SCO licences (Score:5, Funny)
What if a public company licenses Linux from SCO? (Score:3, Interesting)
If the company is a heavy user of Linux, the costs of the SCO licenses could be extremely expensive.
If the executives of the company purchase the SCO license, they could possibly be opening themselves up to shareholder lawsuits accusing them of not performing their fiduciary duties to their stockholders.
For exmaple, if a company only has one or two Linux systems, the executives might find it worthwhile to go ahead and purchase the license. However, if the license fee is $700 per CPU and they have 5,000 CPUS, that would be $3,500,000 dollars in license fees -- easily enough to draw the wrath of their shareholders.
In other words, if a company has very many Linux systems, it might be a very good idea to discuss the issues with their lawyers before agreeing to pay SCO a penny.
Linux JFS isn't from AIX. (Score:3, Interesting)
Linux's JFS support doesn't come from AIX -- it comes from OS/2, to which SCO holds no copyright nor any other IP rights.
The OS/2 implementation of JFS was a ground-up rewrite, based on the JFS specification, which is owned completely by IBM. SCO might claim that they have copyrights to the original AIX JFS sources (a dubious claim), but they can't claim they own the JFS _specification_. That's owned by IBM.
As mentioned above, the OS/2 implementation was a ground-up rewrite based on this spec. The OS/2 version of the code was then ported and integrated into Linux by IBM.
Thus I can't see how SCO could have any sort of claim on JFS in Linux. SCO has no contracts with IBM pertaining to OS/2 technologies.
Score one for the good guys...
Yaz.
Ok all you "Conservatives" (Score:3, Insightful)
Confession (Score:3, Funny)
!!!New plan!!! (Score:3, Interesting)
hey it might work
Linux IP rights vs. SCO? (Score:4, Interesting)
So what's up, Linus?
Re:IBF Finally says something! (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:IBF Finally says something! (Score:2)
How about if you start by going to the US Patent Office [uspto.gove], and doing a search for something like "NUMA and IBM", or "RCU and IBM"?
SCO is questioning the legaility of those patents (Score:5, Interesting)
SCO is stating that any code which IBM develops becomes property of SCO, due to a licensing agreement. So looking up patents is a moot point.
Aside from stating that IBM's license for AIX is perpetual and irrevocable, they have stayed quiet. If they were to come out and say "We own RCU. We own NUMA. This is why...", IBM could kill a lot of the FUD flying around in one swat.
Of course, to IBM, this would be tipping their hand too early.
Re:SCO is questioning the legaility of those paten (Score:4, Informative)
This is exactly what IBM is saying [mozillaquest.com].
Please read the article for IBM's denial of SCO's claims. Near the top of page three for this link:
Trink Guarino, Director of IBM Media Relations told MozillaQuest Magazine yesterday:
"SCO has not shown us any code contributed to Linux by IBM that violates SCO copyrights. SCO needs to openly show the Linux community any copyrighted Unix Code, which they claim is in Linux. SCO seems to be asking customers to pay for a license based on allegations, not facts."
"IBM owns the copyrights for the work we've done in AIX, JFS, RCU and the code that takes advantage of NUMA hardware. AIX is the fastest growing UNIX operating system in the industry, and we intend to continue and accelerate that growth."
Linux didn't do anything (Score:3, Informative)
You want to use old tools, but a new distribution, why did you upgrade half your stuff?
You could still run apache 1.x if you wanted.
You can continue to use your old version of Redhat, or you could use another distribution.
Nobody is forcing you to do this, you are chosing to.
Re:The die is cast (Score:5, Informative)
Link here [bryanconsulting.com]
Here is a scary thought..... (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Why not disclose the stuff? (Score:4, Interesting)
Umm, the NDA?
If you think it can't hurt you, why don't you sign it?
And if you still think it's a good idea, read this [linuxjournal.com].
Re:Why not disclose the stuff? (Score:3, Interesting)
Really... I'm curious here. What *can* they do to someone who could even file for personal bankruptcy with no serious disruption to their life?
The only thing I can think of is that SCO probably wouldn't let them sign the NDA in the first place.
Re:SCO is still using Linux! (Score:5, Insightful)
Considering the usage of Linux within the US Government, particularly in the intelligence area (see NSA SELinux), I wouldn't be half surprised if the government wasn't already up to something regarding SCO. With a good volume of slashdotters filing complaints with the SEC and FTC, something powerful could indeed be drawn from the woodwork.
Re:If Linux 2.4.x has copyrighted material... (Score:5, Interesting)
SCO has said publicly that it no specific section of Linux can be removed or re-written to make it "clean". Their argument is that once SCO's IP was copied into the Linux kernel, later versions of Linux-- all of it-- became a "derivative work" and thus the entire kernel is now "SCO IP".
The only way they feel you could "clean" Linux is to revert to kernel 2.2 and restart development from there, but none of the existing developers or even Linux users could work on development because they've already been tainted-- all current Linux users have already seen the secret SCO IP in Linux kernels they're using. Any code created by current Linux developers or users would therefore be written with knowledge of SCO's super-duper technology, so SCO says that any code written by current Linux developers or users would therefore be "SCO IP" from the day it is born because it is a derivative work. And so they would still have to sue you for licensing fees over it, even though you just wrote it five minutes ago.
So, SCO says, we're letting you all off the hook. Since the only way to "clean" Linux development would eventually kill it completely (since no existing Linux developers or Linux users could work on a clean version), we'll be generous and let Linux live, and just charge license fees instead.
Now I've seen other
But they don't have any claim now; by most peoples' standards, they're making fraudulent claims to manipulate their stock price.Why does everyone think that if we remove some code from Linux and send a nice card to SCO saying that's what we've done, SCO will sit down and say "Okay, you're clean now. Thanks, Linux people!" and then withdraw their case?
And in fact, they've said they won't.
Re:If Linux 2.4.x has copyrighted material... (Score:3, Interesting)
I will take the code, though I do not know the way...
In a way, it is good that they would say this, because it is obviously overbroad. It is another statement that fails the smell test. How could someone who has never read the kernel code know their IP?
It also shows again how
Re:If Linux 2.4.x has copyrighted material... (Score:5, Interesting)
There is no contract between SCO and "Linux", so the derivative work angle will not work. It also wouldn't work even if IBM did do something wrong, since they don't own the rights to the rest of Linux either so nothing they could have done could change the ownership of any of that copyright or any other IP besides that which they added.