IBM Countersues SCO, And More!

mr.crutch writes "Few details are available, but CNet is reporting that IBM has filed counterclaims against SCO. CNet also has an interview with Red Hat CEO Matthew Szulik..." Jizzbug writes "Thanks to the folks of K5, we can all obtain our rights to use the Linux kernel from SCO, and without paying up to SCO's extortion. If kernel.org kernels aren't safe, sco.com kernels certainly ought to be." LWN has a copy of SCO's Linux License for your perusal. Bruce Perens is speaking of the dangers of patent portfolios to open source software, notable because IBM's counterclaims include patent infringement. And finally, a company is selling SCO Check, a tool to de-SCOify your Linux system, if SCO ever presents any evidence whatsoever of infringing code in Linux. Update: 08/08 00:16 GMT by T : SCO's public response to IBM's counterclaim is short and to the point. Among other things, it says "If IBM were serious about addressing the real problems with Linux, it would offer full customer indemnification and move away from the GPL license." Given the other links in this story, perhaps SCO should go first on that count.

Comments

Unspecified?

[phorm]

BM is seeking unspecified monetary damages and an injunction stopping SCO from shipping its software

I'm guessing that in the end, this will be a big number, but perhaps IBM will go for a settlement that involves SCO execs, bricks, and deep water.

Seriously, if anything this whole fiasco is probably as much good publicity for IBM as it is bad to SCO. IBM gets to lay on the smack-down, and they end up looking very much like a hero in the eyes of the linux users/developers.

Claim to be SCO Free

[QuackQuack]

All Linux distros need to do is place bright yellow sunburst stickers on their packaging claiming to be Guaranteed, 100% free of infringing SCO code, "for your piece of mind".

SCO really can't dispute that claim without offering proof, and once they offer proof, the distro can issue a patch removing the code from the system, assuming that there really is problem code

Re:Big guns

[DenOfEarth]

y'know, I never really thought of it this way. IBM has enough stake now in Linux that they are defending the principles it is built on. This is a serious milestone for the open source movement.

Re:It's about time.

[harley_frog]

Extorion is a good choice of words. After reading Professor Moglen's paper on SCO's claim, which was posted on Slashdot last week, a well at this article and this one, I think that SCO is using a combination Mafia-like protection tactics and FUD in an effort to force companies and users that don't a warehouse of lawyers to pony up the money rather than using sound business practices to try and save their company. And now with the recent targets of the U.S. Government and TiVo, they may have just bitten off more then they can chew. I would not be at all surprised if the courts find that SCO does not have a case and that charges of extorition are filed at SCO. I just wonder if SCO's actions could fall under the RICO act.