Yahoo: IBM Files New Claims Against SCO in Linux Case

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

Squash'em like a BUG, baby! :nuke:

http://biz.yahoo.com/djus/030926/1148000629_1.html

"BOSTON -- International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM - News) has filed new counterclaims against SCO Group Inc. (NasdaqSC:SCOX - News) in the closely watched case involving the Linux operating system, according to a memo sent to the IBM sales force.

According to the memo, which was obtained by The Wall Street Journal, the new counterclaim charges that SCO infringed IBM's copyrights by distributing IBM's contributions to Linux after SCO had violated its Linux license by claiming a copyright on parts of Linux.

IBM says in its counterclaim that SCO violated the general Public License under which Linux is distributed. The GPL requires Linux distributors to permit customers to freely copy the software. (...)"

[xJlM]

1. It's about time

The only thing SCO/Caldera has shown any actual aptitude at is suing people. Some payback is exactly what they need :)

[Noordam]

2. Big Blue has tons of lawyers... I do not think SCO/Caldera

understood that. :evilgrin:

[Born Free]

4. Microsoft bought a part of SCO

Not too long ago I read Microsoft bought into SCO. It makes perfect sense, Microsoft can't stop Linux from gradually taking over everything except the desktop, so they join in a lawsuit to stop the rapid growth Linux.

[Noordam]

8. I have worked many contracts at IBM ,,, I will bet IBM attorneys over

MS attorneys any day.

[htuttle]

3. The world changes in strange ways, doesn't it?

I can hardly believe I'm sitting here rooting for IBM in a court case...

[tsipple]

5. A Bit Complicated, But...

SCO distributed Linux for quite some time, and to do so they have to adhere to the GPL (GNU Public License). The GPL is a brilliant piece of legalese that basically forces everyone to play nice in the open source world. (Bill Gates is not a fan. :-))

So IBM is basically saying, "SCO, you shipped Linux. That has legal consequences, one of which is that you just violated the GPL simply by filing suit. Sod off, and pay up."

Most legal experts believe that SCO's claims are completely without merit, and they'll get tossed on their backsides. The question is, how soon, and how painfully? Of course, the press likes a battle and is doing everything possible to give weight to SCO's claims.

By the way, for those of you who'd like to do your part to promote open source, try Linux. If you're afraid to install Linux, don't worry. Visit Knoppix.net to get your very own copy of Linux that runs entirely from CD. It won't touch your hard disk. Nifty, eh?

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

7. KICK! Knoppix is the donkeys bollox!

I can't recomment it enough! I use a derivative of it called Kurumin, tailored to fit in 200 MB so it can be used on credit-card-sized CDs.

[cprise]

6. Wow- They're using the GPL!

Winning this case could make open-source an institution in its own right!