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CD Duplicator Refuses Linux Job, Citing MS Contract

Posted by timothy on from the bizarroworld-is-never-far-away dept.

Jonathon writes "Seems a Microsoft imposed restraint of trade agreement and concerns about the SCO suit have prevented a New Zealand company duplicating 500 CDs for our upcoming installfest. The installfest was mentioned on /. just days ago."

17 of 491 comments (clear)

  1. Not so surprising by McAddress · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Bill Gates did not become the world's most successful business by being dumb. He is doing a very good job using the whole SCO issue to take away people's confidence in Linux. He has done a nice job putting pressure on the CD copying company. He is hoping to make the name "Linux" synonymous with phrases like "infringing copyrights" and "illegal".
    He is not stupid, and if Linux does not watch its back, the penguin might get slain, leaving the world without a reliable and secure OS.

    1. Re:Not so surprising by rifter · · Score: 3, Interesting


      "SCO is about to attack BSD, too."

      Umm, where did you read that? I'd just like to read it myself...

      Linked For Your Pleasure! In this article, Chris Sontag makes the case that essentially every operating system on earth is now SCO property. Somehow Sun is "in the clear,"but Microsoft is not. Key elements of this argument:

      1) The original AT&T contracts deeded all IP derived from Unix back to AT&T

      2) BSD is derived from this codebase as are all sysV implementations. Microsoft and Apple's current OS Offerings owe at least something to BSD.

      3) The BSD case covered pre sysV code, which the SCO released under BSD license a few years ago in any case.

      4) BSD has been contributed to since the case in 1994, and in some cases has received Linux code.

      5) SCO alleges that the BSD folks have not lived up to their end of the 1994 agreement

      It's a scary case, but honestly I don't see how any judge could grant such sweeping power to SCO. It would destroy the IT market utterly and cast a chilling effect on any computer science innovation in the US. This case is going to ultimately end up having to decide many age-old issues which have caused us problems such as people who do not create IP but lay claim to it after buying bits of companies then exercise their rights in a much more egregious manner than the original IP holder would have, and the court-testng of the GPL, among other things.

  2. This could be a good thing... by evilviper · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Now you have ample ammo for suing SCO for libel, slander, defamation, etc...

    --
    Slashdot gets worse every day... Pipedot: News for nerds, without the corporate slant
  3. Keeping Track of SCO's Victims by Schlemphfer · · Score: 4, Interesting
    Is this specific 500-CD deal a big thing? Of course not. But a few people in New Zealand have been measurably inconvenienced by the FUD spread by SCO.

    I think little by little, SCO's efforts to create FUD may inconvenience substantial numbers of people. It wouldn't be a bad idea for a website to be started, for keeping track of the myriad ways that SCO's threats of copyright infringement liability have caused tangible expense and inconvenience.

    It would be a good knowledge base to have, and might come in handy for purposes of a potential class-action suit against SCO, if the company's claims of infringement are found by the courts to be without merit. In any case, this would be one way to give SCO's backers some FUD of their own.

    --
    I'm generally "Interesting," "Insightful," and even "Funny" here. What the hell happens to me at parties?
    1. Re:Keeping Track of SCO's Victims by jkrise · · Score: 3, Interesting

      "I think little by little, SCO's efforts to create FUD may inconvenience substantial numbers of people."

      Ditto. Other strategies (MS is involved with these, apparently) include Gartner going round the world promoting the SCO FUD. People need to remember that GNU and Linux took a lot of daring, creativity, powerful people etc. If they can't look browbeaters in the eye, they probably don't need the free stuff.

      Rather than keeping track of SCO and MS victims, a better approach, IMO would be to give wide coverage to the views of stalwarts like Linus, RMS, ESR etc. Groups like LinuxTag in Germany and others in Poland and Australia have done great pro-active work and have asked SCO to shut up.

      Since GNU and Linux derive from international efforts, and benefit all nations as well, (unlike SCO-MS which benefit only the US, primarily), the true facts about SCO must be beamed across mainstream media throughout the world.

      In fact, Slashdot could avoid devious SCO interviews, and focus on anti-FUD efforts. HP withdrew it's Linux PC notebook offerings in Thailand, and MS is offering XP and Office for $36!!

      SCO's case is about contract dispute, but many in the media talk about IP violations, as if they knew what that meant. Let's all adopt a healthy Dirtier-than-SCO attitude - let's have a /. article on this topic.

      --
      If you keep throwing chairs, one day you'll break windows....
  4. Wuss! by Nucleon500 · · Score: 4, Interesting
    The complete and utter spinelessness of every company in existance is getting on my nerves. SCO may be evil, but at least they're doing something. Here we have a company which won't press Knoppix CDs because of either (they won't say which) baseless and and completely unsupported FUD from an insane law firm / software vendor on the other side of the world, or language that may or may not be in a contract they may or may not have with Microsoft, which may or may not be legal. Lawyers have filled every industry with complete, namby-pamby wusses.

    Besides, SCO has claimed that every single modern operating system (except Sun, they are quick to point out), is at similar risk. How could a CD company stay in business if they refused to duplicate anything McBride said was his?

    --
    Litigious bastards
  5. Linux's image by Jarlsberg · · Score: 5, Interesting

    This is further proof that the SCO debacle is hurting the image of Linux in the marketplace and in the eyes of the consumer. SCO may not have a sound case, but they are causing a lot of confusion about the legality of Linux.

    There's also the part of the contract with Microsoft. This company is obviously not going to risc their probably very important economic ties to Microsoft for a mere 500 cd copy job -- no sane business person would -- but yet again we see evidence that the strong arm tactic Microsoft has employed since the DOS days (anyone remember DR DOS?) is still very much a part of their modus operandi.

  6. Knights of Modern Royalty by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I'm reminded of the English tradition of Knighthood. Where some subject becomes a knight and is granted
    dominion over a parcel of land.

    Microsoft granted this company so many parcels of foo, so long as they upheld Microsoft's honor. And on a larger scale, Isn't dominion what was promised to the RIAA, Media Cartels, others, in exchange for their "loyalty"?

    Maybe I stretch things too far. But it seems the power of the common man has dwindled to nothing outside of a small space that's been allotted. Any attempts to reach beyond this space are met with resistance and punishment.

    All these guys wanted to do was duplicate some cd's.
    But that activity appears to be outside the domain Microsoft is willing to grant them. How have we gotten into the situation where we must beg persmission to do mundane tasks like this?

    Is the large scale duplication of information getting to be a little too risque' for the peons? Gotta keep an eye on stuff like that now?

    The box that makes up our collective free will is getting smaller and smaller as each cubic centimeter is parcelled off to the Knights of Modern Royalty.

  7. Re:Helping the cause by Jeffna · · Score: 5, Interesting

    ... I can say that this is pretty much only going to help our cause

    I'd say so. I downloaded Knoppix last night after the previous installfest story piqued my interest.

    Things to note:

    I've used Micosoft software since I started using PCs.
    I'd never used any version of Linux before.
    I was very impressed with what I saw.

    Congratulations guys, you just gained a brand spanking new Linux user.

  8. boycotts? by buro9 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    i'm usually amazed how seldom people will resort to boycotts.

    whilst i would have no doubt that MS are obviously a large part of their business, it is obvious that no business survives with just one good horse in their stable.

    with a good enough word-of-mouth campaign it should be possible to inform local businesses and companies of the boycott, inform them of other options, and thus remove a chunk of their potential business.

    500 cds may not hurt their purse strings, but 100 x 500 will.

    do we forget just how much power we have?

  9. Microsoft never told them to not to do this! by hng_rval · · Score: 4, Interesting

    From the article:

    Roberts said the contract with Software Images did not contain anything that prevented Software Images working with the Open Source Society or pressing Linux CDs "or anything like that".

    He said Software Images made their decision before talking to Microsoft "for their own reasons".

    "It's very much a Coke/Pepsi situation. If you are an ad agency dealing with Pepsi you don't pick up business with Coke."

    When the Herald pointed out that Open Source software was a competitor to Microsoft, Roberts said: "I guess so, but the NZ Open Source Society isn't."

    --
    Thank you Mario! But our princess is in another castle!
  10. Reliabile Duplication Services by _Sprocket_ · · Score: 5, Interesting

    That's right, New Zealand businesses! Software Images has helped you make a decission towards reliable outsourcing for your data duplication needs. If you need an outfit who can be trusted to handle your order, even important rush orders, Software Solutions is not your provider.

    Data duplication is an important last step to any project that requires physical media for distribution. You need to know that your order is accepted and being handled and processed quickly, efficiently, and reliably. At Software Images, your data duplication order may be green-flagged by their expert account managers... only to be refused at a later date.

    Your order may be refused because, on a "case by case basis", the data in question might be considered in competition with Microsoft. And as Microsoft continues to reach in to new sectors and attach new niches... who's to say if one is in direct competition or not? But you'll find out. After your order has been rejected and you are forced to scramble for another outsource provider.

    Your order may also be refused if an industry competitor makes unfounded alligations as to owner of the intellectual property contained in your duplication order. No need to wait for a court ruling. No need for proof of a currently valid license. Your important job will be rejected, leaving your business high and dry.

    In this tough economy, every business needs reliable outsource providers. They need to know that services will be there for that important job or rush order.

    With Software Images, you won't know.

    Software Images. They're not there for you. They're there for their major account - Microsoft.

  11. Next time you wanna make Linux CDs, call Malaysia by Taco+Cowboy · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Malaysia being the world's #1 producer of PIRATED CDs, VCDs, and CD-ROMs, has more than enough talent and capacity to make ANY NUMBER of high quality CD, even in a short order.

    The cost of making CDs in Malaysia is EXTRA-ORDINARILY LOW - amount to LESS THAN USD 0.25 per CD, with quantities of 500 or more.

    No, I am NOT a CD pirate. I just know enough people who are in this line of "work" to know the cost.

    Not only the cost is low, the CDs they produce are also of high quality - rejection rate of less than 0.5 %, and turn around time can be as short as 5 days.

    And since it is NEVER ILLEGAL to make Linux CD-ROMs, legality wise there shouldn't be ANY PROBLEM.

    So, next time if you wanna make CDs, or you have a rush job and still want to have high quality CDs made, give Malaysia a call.

    You won't be disappointed !

    --
    Muchas Gracias, Señor Edward Snowden !
  12. Re:Next time you wanna make Linux CDs, call Malays by Heartz · · Score: 5, Interesting
    CD Pirates are one of the primary reasons why Linux is gaining ground in Malaysia. They are cheap, and have all the latest titles. Linux enthuthiast who need the latest ISO's just needs to go to his local pirate distributor and usually in 2-3 days, you'll be able to get a copy. Especially useful for those of us who don't have Broadband internet at home.

    They are also actively promoting Linux to businesses who are looking for alternatives to microsoft during the latest software piracy crackdown.

    Pirates have brought linux to Malaysia! Pirates aren't that bad after all ;)

  13. Re:I have a vision..... by Brynath · · Score: 3, Interesting

    One Microsoft Way

  14. Re:The company's name by Daengbo · · Score: 5, Interesting

    What I don't understand is why (and yes I'm going to make an offtopic "Why didn't MY submission make it?" comment) this story is a big deal, when MS just hikacked tens of thousands of computers to be sold by the Thai government with Linux pre-installed by offering Windows to purchasers for 250 Baht (about US$6). There were supposed to be a hundred thousand Linux computers by December, and now there will be, like zero. Check my journal for the details.

    --
    Put identity in the browser.
  15. Microsoft's violations by _iris · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I wonder if they denied to press Microsoft's discs when Microsoft was litigating the case brought against them by Caldera or the case with the DOJ.