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Lawsuit Over Unix/ Linux Code

SCO is suing IBM for using Linux. They claim Linux is based in part on code from the Unix operating system that is SCO's intellectual property.

Unix was invented more than 30 years ago by AT&T's Unix Systems Laboratories, and the Unix ideas have spread widely since then. Linux works in many ways identically to Unix, making it relatively easy to translate Unix software to Linux.

AT&T sold the Unix intellectual property to Novell Networks, which in turn sold it to the Santa Cruz Operation. Caldera International, a seller of Linux, then acquired from SCO the Unix rights and two SCO products, OpenServer and UnixWare. Then last year, Caldera changed its name to SCO Group to reflect the fact that most of its revenue came from its SCO business and not from the Linux products.

Writer Mark F. Radcliffe has some interesting thoughts on the lawsuit:

"SCO's approach is almost a textbook example of how not to enforce intellectual property rights.

First, don't check the scope of your rights, so you must keep changing your public position. Second, sue on your weakest and most difficult to prove rights. Third, keep the "infringements" secret to further lower your credibility. Fourth, threaten to sue everyone in the known universe before you have a decision enforcing your rights. Fifth, trumpet your successful license to the major competitor for the targeted product (Microsoft) who obviously has other motives for executing such a license. Sixth, irritate the other potential owners of the rights so that they go public with their version of events."  more....

31 May 2003  |   permalink