SCO vs Linux: The plot thickens...

[denny]

Novell today issued a dual challenge to The SCO Group over its recent statements regarding its UNIX ownership and potential intellectual property rights claims over Linux.

First, Novell challenged SCO's assertion that it owns the copyrights and patents to UNIX System V, pointing out that the asset purchase agreement entered into between Novell and SCO in 1995 did not transfer these rights to SCO. Second, Novell sought from SCO facts to back up its assertion that certain UNIX System V code has been copied into Linux. Novell communicated these concerns to SCO via a letter (text below) from Novell® Chairman and CEO Jack Messman in response to SCO making these claims.

"To Novell's knowledge, the 1995 agreement governing SCO's purchase of UNIX from Novell does not convey to SCO the associated copyrights," Messman said in the letter. "We believe it unlikely that SCO can demonstrate that it has any ownership interest whatsoever in those copyrights. Apparently you share this view, since over the last few months you have repeatedly asked Novell to transfer the copyrights to SCO, requests that Novell has rejected."

Full story: http://www.novell.com/news/press/archive/2003/05/pr03033.html

Note particularly the last sentence I've quoted... whilst suing IBM for infringing their rights to Unix, SCO were fully aware that they didn't actually own those rights and have been actively trying to acquire them. This should be funny... bets on an IBM counter-suit, anyone?

Comments

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

<Mr.Burns Voice>Excellent</Mr.Burns Voice>

[codepope.livejournal.com]

Except, that, as SCO have responded, their dispute with IBM is a contractual one, not an IP rights issue.

http://www.forbes.com/technology/newswire/2003/05/28/rtr984048.html

[dennyd.livejournal.com]

I think the second half of their claim is the crucial one anyway - the bit about Linux incorporating Unix code. And there's not much to be done or said about that until they actually present some evidence. Any idea if there's some kind of key date they'll have to do so by? You seem more informed on this than I am  :)

[codepope.livejournal.com]

Yes, but looking at how SCO is framing it as a contract dispute, then they are within their rights to persue the case, if it can be shown that there was any contamination.

It's worth noting that SCO as it is isn't full of Unix heads who'd pore over source code and compare Linux with Unix. This is the kind of case which begs the question "Who's the whistle blower?".

And the dates? Well, one doesn't know; I don't think the case is scheduled for court yet and till then it's wide open.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_nicolai_/]

At the time I write this, The SCO Group's share price is down 22% so far today.
I think the magic necromancy isn't what it used to be.
Soon, they will implode into a nasty greasy stain on the history of computing, and I will have a party.

[sinders.livejournal.com]

I don't understand this post even the tiniest bit... but I love your tatts (tribal is a favourite of mine) and think the rocky horror pics are wicked!!

[dennyd.livejournal.com]

Ta! *blows kisses*

So shall I be meeting you when I pop up to see kissycat1000 and co. next? (first weekend in July)

Re:

[sinders.livejournal.com]

I certainly hope so... after all, ak67 is no longer around to put a spanner in the works (the last time you were in Cheltenham he said he didn't want to meet internet strangers, and made me feel guilty enough to stay home).

I do what I like now, and I'm so up for meeting you, lol!!

BTW... I added you to my friends list... hope you don't mind?

[dennyd.livejournal.com]

It's what the friends list was invented for  :)

(although it should really be called 'the people whose journal I want to read daily' list)

Re:

[sinders.livejournal.com]

LOL, I agree with you there!!

Don't feel you have to add me back, but it would be nice :)

Right now my journal is full of breaking up with ak67 and finding my own self (after 4 years of not being allowed to really be me) but a lot of it is quite amusing :)