SCO Archive

SCO Registers UNIX Copyrights and Offers UNIX License

Submitted by Joseph Childrose 2003-07-21 SCO 135 Comments

U.S. Copyright Office officially begins assignment of UNIX copyrights to SCO and the company is to provide UNIX License to commercial Linux end users. Press release, C|Net article. Here is also an inteview with McBride, SCO CEO at C|Net.

SCO Readies new Linux Licensing Program

Eugenia Loli 2003-07-19 SCO 106 Comments

The SCO Group is preparing a new Linux licensing program that it claims will allow users of the open-source operating system to run Linux without fear of litigation. The program will be announced "within the next month or so," according to SCO spokesman Blake Stowell, but on Monday the company will announce what he calls a "precursor" to this program in a press conference with SCO Chief Executive Officer Darl McBride and SCO's high-profile attorney David Boies, of the firm Boies, Schiller & Flexner.

SCO’s Chief Takes Linux Beef To Japan

Adam Scheinberg 2003-07-07 SCO 42 Comments

SCO CEO Darl McBride has travelled to Japan to conduct a series of coversations with Japanese companies in an effort to share his views on Linux, presumably to convince them to hold off on any Linux implemenations. Yahoo has the article.

A Visit to SCO; ESR Vs SCO

Submitted by Garp 2003-06-20 SCO 40 Comments

This essay describes a visit to SCO, to discuss SCO's claim that Linux infringes on its intellectual property rights. Elsewhere, Eric Raymond says he has evidence that could undermine some of SCO's legal arguments. Raymond claims to have collected the names of 60 Unix users who are willing to sign affidavits that disprove SCO's contention that its Unix System V source code, which forms the basis of IBM's AIX Unix, contains trade secrets.

I.B.M.’s Opponent in Suit Criticizes Linux Advocate

Eugenia Loli 2003-06-18 SCO 53 Comments

In a new court document, the SCO Group criticizes Linus Torvalds, the guardian and copyright holder of the freely shared Linux operating system. Update: Two more articles, one at TheInquirer, one at Forbes.

SCO Owns Your Computer

Eugenia Loli 2003-06-16 SCO 91 Comments

Here is a must-read article in the SCO-Linux-IBM situation. SCO says that Linux uses inappropriate code on IBM's JFS, NUMA, RCU and SMP. Additionally, they are looking into firing against FreeBSD (related info here) while they might even hold Microsoft responsible for some things: "Microsoft merely licensed an applications interface layer." So it is SCO against everyone. Huh, wait. Except Sun: "Sun is clean" SCO's CTO says. SCO also explains the GPL "deal". Update: How appropriate: Looking to capitalize on IBM legal dispute, Sun is readying a new AIX-to-Solaris migration program. Update2: SCO suit now seeks $3 billion from IBM.

SCO CEO: Why we’re Suing IBM; SCO Revokes IBM’s AIX License

Eugenia Loli 2003-06-16 SCO 56 Comments

A few years ago, Caldera Systems was bobbing along as one of the last software companies to claim a piece of the Linux land rush, scoring a successful IPO that raised $70 million. McBride spoke with CNET News.com about the origins of the IBM dispute, the side effects and what comes next.
UPDATE: It's official: SCO announces immediate termination of IBM's right to use and distribute AIX and files for permanent injunction. UPDATE 2: IBM says SCO has no right to revoke AIX license.

More on the SCO Situation; Novell Backs Off

Eugenia Loli 2003-06-15 SCO 45 Comments

Another major hardware maker is likely to be added to SCO's legal battle against IBM and others over what it claims is illegally appropriated source code in Linux. In the meantime, Novell backs off copyright claims against SCO.

SCO May Expand Linux Case Soon

Submitted by Greg Afinogenov 2003-06-14 SCO 69 Comments

The SCO Group soon may open another front in its legal battle against Linux by filing suit against a major hardware manufacturer in North America, a company executive said.

The SCO Threat: A professional Linux User’s Perspective

Guest post by Roberto J. Dohnert 2003-06-10 SCO 72 Comments

On March 7th 2003, the SCO Group filed a lawsuit against IBM for misappropriation of tradesecrets and contractual agreements. The scope of SCOs complaint is that IBM introduced parts of Unix System V and Project Monterey into the Linux kernel. Project Monterey was a effort to port IBM's AIX 5L onto the Intel Itanium platform, IBM withdrew from that project for reasons unknown according to the press, I believe that it was because the Itanium is a bomb.

SCO Presents ‘Proof’ of Unix Copyright Claims

Eugenia Loli 2003-06-08 SCO 33 Comments

The SCO Group on Friday once again reiterated that it is the only rightful owner of the Unix System V source code and all related copyrights.

Contract Illuminates Novell, SCO Spat; SCO Shows Code

Submitted by StevenW 2003-06-04 SCO 59 Comments

A 1995 contract sheds light on the conflicting Unix ownership claims by Novell and SCO Group, with SCO receiving broad rights to the OS but Novell retaining copyrights and patents. Updated

SCO to Novell: See you in court

Eugenia Loli 2003-05-30 SCO 59 Comments

SCO Group executives said Friday that the company's copyright dispute with Novell doesn't affect its legal campaign against Linux, but they'll probably sue Novell anyway.

SCO’s Chris Sontag on Linux, Unix and Brewing Legal Fights

Submitted by Sharon Machlis 2003-05-29 SCO 59 Comments

In an interview with Computerworld reporter Patrick Thibodeau, SCO's Chris Sontag, a senior vice president and general manager of SCOsource Division, the group within SCO in charge of enforcing the company's intellectual property, discussed the company's position. It is discussed the Linux kernel issue, Novell's reasons and why Microsoft licensed the Unix IP. Update: More SCO news.

SCO Threatens Torvalds

Submitted by Owen Anderson 2003-05-28 SCO 122 Comments

In a statement today, SCO seems to have threatened to sue Linus Torvalds, the inventor of Linux, if more companies don't start licensing UNIX. (Note: Look at the very last paragraph.)

What if SCO wins? Why Microsoft Licensed the Unix IP?

Eugenia Loli 2003-05-27 SCO 44 Comments

John Carroll editorializes about the SCO situation and advocates that the worst it could happen to the Linux OSS market is to have a temporary slow down, and not a collapse. Elsewhere, Sys-Con reports that people started all these conspiracy theories when Microsoft licensed the Unix IP from SCO, but in reality the magazine says, it was something that was on schedule to happen as Microsoft needed the license possibly for a new product of theirs.

SCO CEO Says No Version of Linux Passes Legal Muster

Eugenia Loli 2003-05-23 SCO 71 Comments

A few more links to yesterday's barrage of SCO-related articles: "SCO CEO says no Linux is legit" (interview with the SCO CEO), "Meet Linux's New Public Enemy No. 1" (another SCO CEO interview), "Torvalds Sounds Off On SCO Lawsuit", "Analysis: SCO Takes on Linux", "Tragedy to farce--the SCO vs IBM lawsuit" (written by ESR).

No SCO in Official Linux Kernel?

Adam Scheinberg 2003-05-22 SCO 27 Comments

It appears that proprietary SCO code may not be present in the Linux kernel after all. MozillaQuest magazine has done some research and determined that SCO's claims may not include violations in the official Linux kernel. Read more at MozillaQuest. Update by ELQ: Many SCO-related articles today:

What If SCO Is Right?

Eugenia Loli 2003-05-17 SCO 73 Comments

"Almost no one knows what's really going on. Very few people know what's in both Linux and Unix source code, and most of them aren't talking, and the ones who are talking aren't providing specifics. Some Linux advocates say that SCO is somehow being unfair in not disclosing its evidence now, but if SCO is indeed the wronged party then they have no obligation to do any favors to the people who wronged them. So what happens if SCO is right?" Read the article at Internet Week.

SCO Suspends Distribution of Linux Pending IP Clarification

Eugenia Loli 2003-05-14 SCO 94 Comments

SCO is now turning (again) the tables regarding their Linux policy: SCO suspends sales of its Linux distro, alerts customers that Linux is an unauthorized derivative of UNIX and that legal liability may extend to commercial users. SCO reaffirms commitment to SCOx, SCO's growth strategy through Web services. Additionally, eCommerceTimes feature an editorial: 'SCO: Put Up or Shut Up'. Update: Read on for two more updates on the subject.