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SCO Extorting Unixware Licenses to Linux Users?

An anonymous user noted that SCO will sell you Unixware if you want to "Legitimize" your usage of Linux at your company. If you buy the license, you will be held blameless for your transgressions against SCO! Pricing has yet to be determined for the special licenses, but I suspect that for any value greater than zero, there are going to be a fair number of angry users.

29 of 576 comments (clear)

  1. How is SCO's Lawsuit affecting sales of Linux? by drgroove · · Score: 2, Funny

    If I were a CIO or CTO debating the TCO of *nix vs. Win2K3 to a CEO, would IBM vs. SCO be the TKO that stops the CEO from approving A/P to pay my PO for RH's LGX?

    FWIW, even if OSS is FAIB, if the DOJ considers *nix IP with a TM, then it basically become's SCO's LIC, meaning our OSS becomes a CSS OS, which would RSTBO.

    AIBO going w/ an ASP that manages our OS? BTA, we might end up w/ a BOFH giving us ZA, which WWAD PMS.

    AFAIK, INMP if SCO wants to be ITM by enforcing its supposed IPR - *nix IP should be PD or GNU, like BSD just on GP, IYKWIM. I keep asking myself in this situation - WWLD?

    Oh, BTW - IITYWIMWYBMAD?

  2. In case of slashdotting: by Dark+Lord+Seth · · Score: 3, Funny
    1. Re:In case of slashdotting: by sharkey · · Score: 2, Funny
      Do moderators actually follow these links before given modpoints?

      Nope, they follow the leader. Do Slashdot editors actually follow these links before posting an article?

      --

      --
      "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
  3. Grace by L.+VeGas · · Score: 2, Funny

    I, for one, am grateful for this opportunity to come clean. Where do I send the check?

  4. Re:Why care? by iapetus · · Score: 4, Funny
    We're putting linux on our networks for free, and SCO wants a part of it.

    Sounds reasonable enough to me. How does 25% sound? :)

    --
    ++ Say to Elrond "Hello.".
    Elrond says "No.". Elrond gives you some lunch.
  5. Unicks Where? by packethead · · Score: 2, Funny

    Q: "What UnixWare are you running?"
    A: "I really don't want to concern myself with what UnixWare."

    --
    .sig
    1. Re:Unicks Where? by drgroove · · Score: 1, Funny

      First, you spelled it wrong. The word is 'eunuchs', a name for a man who has been castrated (yikes!).

      Second, your 'Q:' is really 2 questions, not one, given the pun.

      Your 'Q:' was:
      What UnixWare are you running?

      But, given the pun, it would be interpreted:
      What Eunuchs wear? Are you running?

      Meaning the answer, originally:
      I really don't want to concern myself with what UnixWare.

      Becomes:
      I really don't want to concern myself with what Eunuchs wear. And, no, I'm not running.
      Or, even:
      I really don't want to concern myself with what Eunuchs wear. I would imagine its not a g-string - possibly a kilt? And, no, I'm not running.

      Otherwise, I think your post should be modded up as at least +1 or +2 Funny, since the Unix/Eunuchs pun is so little used these days.

      :D

  6. what about sco trangressions against Linux? by linuxislandsucks · · Score: 3, Funny

    What about a license to indemnify me from trangressions of SCO against Linux..oh wait IBM gives those out for free!

    Thanks IBM!

    --
    Don't Tread on OpenSource
  7. Re:Extortion is Right!! by TheRaven64 · · Score: 5, Funny
    Could this allow for future countersuits if SCO loses?

    Not really no. Even in America, you can't sue something that doesn't exist, and the chances of SCO existing after they've lost are very low indeed.

    --
    I am TheRaven on Soylent News
  8. My respiration patent. by levik · · Score: 4, Funny
    Having submitted a patent for biological respiratory systems, we have gone back and looked over some evidence, and are pretty confident that the majority of the world population (not limited to homo sapiens) may be infringing on our intellectual property.

    Pending the outcome of our patent application we are offering carbon-based lifeforms to protect themselves from possible litigation by lisencing out technology for a low upfront fee based on the cell count of the organism.

    By chosing to forgo purchasing a lisence, you may be opening yourself to a potential injunctive action down the road.

    --
    Ñ'
  9. Now, if I buy this license... by ivanmarsh · · Score: 5, Funny

    If I buy this SCO license it means I own Unix right? Do I own Linux? Netware is thrown in there somewhere too isn't it? What about the Brooklyn bridge?

    You can have my Linux when you pry it from my cold dead hand.

  10. Heh. by American+AC+in+Paris · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Yeah, it'z a real trad-jedy what happened to old Mr. Smith and his hosting bidness down da street. Poor guy. Hoid he was gonna retires in a few weeks. Simply tragic. So, bidness seems do be brisk today, eh? That's great news, iddnit, Bennie? I was was just sayin' to Bennie, 'Gosh, we loves seein local bidness thrive,' I was sayin'. 'Cuz ya know, we's all gots a stake in bidness bein' good, don't we? And we wants ta help make sure that your fine shop doesn't fall victim to the same thugs what so ruthlessly beat an' murdered Mr. Smith, God rest his soul..."

    --

    Obliteracy: Words with explosions

  11. Finally we have filled in the blank by stand · · Score: 3, Funny

    Ahh! so finally we can fill in the blank at point 2.

    1. Latch on to/buy into someone elses idea
    2. Extort unsuspecting user community
    3. Profit

    We'll see how it works out.

    --
    Four fifths of all our troubles in this life would disappear if we would just sit down and keep still. -C. Coolidge
    1. Re:Finally we have filled in the blank by drinkypoo · · Score: 2, Funny

      Actually, I think #1 in SCO's plan is collect underpants. It certainly wasn't "write an enterprise-class x86 Unix".

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  12. I'd like to ask a question... by Noryungi · · Score: 3, Funny

    What part of "GNU is not UNIX" don't you understand, SCO??

    There... I feel better... ;-)

    --
    The right to offend is far more important than the right not to be offended. (Rowan Atkinson)
  13. Bender says by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny


    SCO can kiss my shiny metal ass.

  14. Re:Uhm.. by jkrise · · Score: 2, Funny

    Didn't we hear about this yesterday?

    1. Yes, but /. has a quota for SCO stories, and for weeks the quota is lying un-utilized.

    2. SCO realises that getting abused at /. is the best way to spread their FUD.

    3. CIOs and PHBs in the US are already writing checks to SCO.

    4. CIOs and PHBs in Germnay, France, Asia and elsewhere are ROFLTAO...

    5. Tune in for daily updates on the SCO extortion fund - brought to you by /.

    -

    --
    If you keep throwing chairs, one day you'll break windows....
  15. Obligatory welcome by TrekkieGod · · Score: 4, Funny
    Didn't we hear about this yesterday? This isn't exactly new, news.

    I see that you are new amongst us. Welcome. What you're referring to is what we slashdotters call a "dupe". Please report to the re-education center where you will learn many things including, but not limited to, "profit lists", and jokes about non longer in existance soviet nations.

    --

    Warning: Opinions known to be heavily biased.

  16. Re:Hrm by WIAKywbfatw · · Score: 3, Funny

    I don't know about you but I was beginning to get worried by the lack of SCO stories.

    I come to SCOdot.org for "SCO news for nerds" and "SCO stuff that matters", and when I don't get my daily fix I get withdrawl symptoms.

    --

    "Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue." - David Brent, Wernham Hogg
  17. Re:No need to pay. by nxs212 · · Score: 2, Funny

    You are 100% correct. Do not sign any licensing deals with SCO - IBM did and look at what happened to them.

  18. Debian users are safe then. by Hulver · · Score: 2, Funny

    Although I hear the next release might take the kernel up from 2.0 to 2.2, so watch out!

  19. Re:BurySCO by buckeyeguy · · Score: 4, Funny

    In other news, Lawrence Ellison of Oracle Corp announced that he intended to launch a hostile buyout offer for SCO... "we don't really want their products, we just want their lawyers."

    --
    I'd have a personalized plate on my car, but "toxic bachelor" won't fit into 7 letters.
  20. Re:Uhm.. by CERonin · · Score: 2, Funny

    Oh come on, have a sense of humor! This is slashdot version of the latest Gulf War. Just think of McBride as the Iraqi Information Minister. "There are no competing claims to ours! Only we own UNIX! And if others say otherwise, they lie! Lies, lies, and more lies! We will crush them and be victorious!"

    --
    stirring the pot since nineteen mumblty mumble...
  21. Like I said yesterday... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I'm running unlicensed versions of Windows, so why would I pay for Linux? :P

  22. Re:Extortion is Right!! by Xeth · · Score: 4, Funny
    Even in America, you can't sue something that doesn't exist

    My pending lawsuit against the toothfairy (illicit confiscation and commercial usage of my (copyrighted) DNA) speaks otherwise!

    --
    If your theory is different from practice, then your theory is wrong.
  23. I have an offer for SCO by davmoo · · Score: 2, Funny

    For a mere 10 bucks, I'll send them a photo of me giving them the finger. Until SCO produces real evidence, fuck SCO.

    --
    I want a new quote. One that won't spill. One that don't cost too much. Or come in a pill.
  24. Re:Extortion is Right!! by roystgnr · · Score: 3, Funny

    Not really no. Even in America, you can't sue something that doesn't exist, and the chances of SCO existing after they've lost are very low indeed.

    By this do you mean that the chances of SCO the organization remaining solvent are very low, or that the chances of the current SCO leadership not being assassinated by berzerk Linux zealots are very low?

    (note for the humor impaired: even as a borderline Linux zealot I would not support acts of violence against any SCO executive... although forcing them to to spend a long time incarcerated for securities fraud while in constant fear of prison rape is kind of a grey area, particularly if the other inmates make apropos jokes like "So you think if I inject you with a tiny bit of my property, that means I own you, right?")

  25. I say pay up by Jonavin · · Score: 3, Funny

    That's right let's all pay SCO the "license fee". Just remember to send them the right amount of Monopoly(tm) bills, because they don't give change.

  26. Can I "borrow" ten bucks? by karlandtanya · · Score: 2, Funny
    Scooter is a little kid who wants ten bucks. He's bothering everybody in the family, and nobody's giving up the money. Here's a list of little Scooter's manipulations to date. See if you can predict what he does next!


    Can I borrow ten bucks?

    General Nuisance: "Let's threaten to sue the world, and maybe we'll get bought" (If I scream loud enough, Mom or Dad will just give me ten bucks to get me to shut the hell up.)

    Impotent attempt at Intimidation: "You'd better quit using Linux right now!" (Gimme the ten bucks, dammit!)

    Appeal to authority: "I'll sue you if you don't quit using Linux" (I'll tell mommy you're being a hog if you don't share!)

    Appeal to justice: "That code was developed here. Linux wouldn't exist without SCO." (You stole ten bucks from me last week. Give it back, ya big bully!). Note that Scooter's a little twerp who's way more likely to steal from someone else, than get stolen from.

    Harrassing your Target: "Dear Linux User...you're using our code." (Can I borrow ten bucks? How 'bout now? How 'bout now?)

    Appeal to pity: "How can you leave our company and all its employees without jobs?" (If you don't lend me ten bucks, I can't go see "Finding Nemo").

    Bargaining: "Just buy this cheap license. I know it's worthless, but it'll get us to leave you alone." (Just give me five bucks and I'll quit bothering you)

    Earning the ten bucks: "SCO begins developing a useful project (Maybe a financial program that interoperates with Quicken) & puts it up on sourceforge for us to all share & enjoy. Then they ask for donations to keep them afloat." (OK, Sis. I did all your chores for the week. Can I have the ten bucks now?)


    Oops--that last one was how everyone else got their ten bucks. Scooter's looking for an easier way.

    --
    "Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, it doesn't go away." - Philip K. Dick