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SCO Says IBM is Beating Up on Them

SCO's McBride claims that IBM is stage-managing all the attacks and bad press, which would probably explain why I cleared this article with IBM World Headquarters before running it (not!). The publisher of Linux Journal invites SCO to sue. One of SCO's lawyers has this barely coherent interview where he spouts legal rubbish for a gullible reporter. There's an interview in German (machine translation) with SCO's execs. And finally, SCO is still hoping for a settlement with IBM. Update: 08/22 18:26 GMT by M : ESR responds.

48 of 1,133 comments (clear)

  1. If you don't comply with Big Blue... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    They'll beat you up and steal your $699 in lunch money.

  2. Yeah... by ArmenTanzarian · · Score: 5, Funny

    did you guys get your checks from IBM today? My hourly on posting anti-SCO stuff has gone through the roof!

    1. Re:Yeah... by Surak · · Score: 3, Funny

      Checks? I have direct-deposit from IBM. After how much they've paid me to bash SCO here on Slashdot and everywhere else, I think I'm just gonna take the money about buy SCO... ;)

    2. Re:Yeah... by oolon · · Score: 5, Funny

      I found IBM wanting to reduce my hourly rate for SCO bashing as so many people are willing to do it for free!

      How is a guy ment to make a buck these days ;-)

      James

    3. Re:Yeah... by Asprin · · Score: 4, Funny

      Mine was supposed to hit the ol' direct-deposit account this morning, but email's been a little slow, so my bank hasn't sent me a confirmation yet... Oh, wait, here it is:
      From: idiotuser@msn.com
      To: groovydude1337@slashdot.org
      Re: You're Approved!
      Cool, it looks like it's a...
      it's a...
      it's a...
      damn.

      Nope. I'm not getting anything from IBM either.
      --
      "Lawyers are for sucks."
      - Doug McKenzie
    4. Re:Yeah... by dipipanone · · Score: 4, Funny

      They must really believe this. In fact, they must be shitting their pants. They've had months and months and teams of coders and lawyers working together to dig up the best example of copyright contravention that they can find, and this is what they come up with.

      Five minutes after the code leaks, the world and his wife knows that SCO are completely full of shit and their law suit has suffered a mortal wound. Poor Darl's head must be spinning so fast that he doesn't know which way is up any more.

      Darl: "Bwahahahaha. Mom, mom, it isn't fair! That big bully, GPL is cheating. I only wanted to steal a little bit of money from all those linux hippies, but GPL wants to keep it all for himself. Make him play nice. Make him GIVE me the money, or I'll scream and scream and scream until I turn purple and you have to call the doctor out...."

      Darl's mommy: "Sorry son, but while you were out playing, I got myself a new boyfriend. Unlike GPL, my new guy IBM is pretty strict and he believes in corporal punishment for brattish children. You'd best run to your room and hide quietly, because I think I see him fetching his strap from the woodshed...."

  3. Paranoia by PIPBoy3000 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Remember, it's not paranoia if they really are all out to get them.

    And we are.

    1. Re:Paranoia by mikeee · · Score: 5, Funny

      But there's no conspiracy against SCO; it only looks that way because everyone hates them.

    2. Re:Paranoia by Soko · · Score: 4, Funny

      ..and in case you think we're kidding, I present evidence:

      Is Linus right that SCO is "smoking crack"?

      Looks like the court of public opinion is speaking loud and clear.

      Soko

      --
      "Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm." - Anonymous
    3. Re:Paranoia by BiggerIsBetter · · Score: 4, Funny

      IBM is an evil corporation, don't get me wrong, but it's nice to see them excercising a little enlightened self interest and playing chicken with SCO.

      I dunno about the evil-ness of IBM, but...

      I pictured an IBM semi-trailer rumbling down the highway, with an SCO chicken (looked like Darl with feathers) standing at the other end of a straight, squaking furiously at the oncoming behemoth. The chicken doesn't stand a chance.

      --
      Forget thrust, drag, lift and weight. Airplanes fly because of money.
  4. With apologies to Dave Sim by Demona · · Score: 5, Funny
    "Dear Darl McBride colon Having determined for myself that you and your band of scofflaws are as dead meat festering in the sun of Lindon and that his holiness Pope Stallman the First will one day dance upon the graves of you and your half-baked western heresies comma in all good conscience comma i must respectfully inform you that i would rather eat a half hyphen pound of diced earthworms raw than ever again have to stand within ten feet of your lice hyphen ridden comma foul hyphen smelling person comma and that further comma it is my considered opinion that all of your female ancestors must have mated with decidedly inferior breeds of bulls to produce to genuinely worthless a specimen of humanity as yourself period In hopes that this finds you dying of some singularly loathesome and painful disease comma i remain comma very truly yours comma archbishop sontag of the *eastern church*"

    "You don't have any...*objections* to signing that, do you...my son?"

    --
    Fuck Slashdot
    1. Re:With apologies to Dave Sim by On+Lawn · · Score: 5, Funny


      Why do you spell out your punctation questionmark

  5. Finally!!! by El_Ge_Ex · · Score: 3, Funny

    Whoh! 24 hours without an SCO story!

    I wasn't sure if I would make it!

    -B

  6. Darl must be losing it... by TopShelf · · Score: 5, Funny

    I can't decide which is funnier - the point about IBM orchestrating all the outrage, or the point that SCO is somehow more "relevant" to the tech community because they've filed a bunch of press releases!

    Thanks, Darl - it's good to kick off the weekend with a good laugh...

    --
    Stop by my site where I write about ERP systems & more
    1. Re:Darl must be losing it... by Zathrus · · Score: 3, Funny

      Oh, certainly the idea that IBM is orchestrating the outrage.

      I mean, just think about this for a minute -- IBM and RMS working together.

      Is there anything any more absurd than that? I mean, seriously... even RMS's most sane rants are off the deep end for IBM.

    2. Re:Darl must be losing it... by NoUse · · Score: 5, Funny

      No this is all part of his plan...

      Judge: You are being charged with criminal fraud and anti-competive and damaging business practices.. How do you plead?
      McBride: I plead insanity.
      Judge: On what grounds?
      McBride: Are you kidding? Did you see all the crazy shit I said? I was rambling for months that "they" were out to get me!


      Yeah he's crazy...Crazy like a fox...

  7. I admit it by theolein · · Score: 5, Funny

    IBM paid me $699 to criticise SCO ;););)

  8. Love this quote by swilcox · · Score: 3, Funny

    SCO, technologically relevant?

    McBride proudly dumped two phone-book-sized binders of press clippings on the stage during his SCO Forum keynote on Monday as proof that his company had become more relevant in the high technology industry. SCO has issued 46 press releases since filing suit against IBM on March 7. Last year it issued only 29 press releases between March and August.

  9. What is the sound of one hand slapping? by thomas.galvin · · Score: 4, Funny

    What is the sound of one hand slapping?

    More precisely, what is the sound of an 800 lb. gorilla's one hand slapping?

    Or, to be even more exact, what is the sound of an 800 lb. gorilla's one hand slapping an annoying monkey silly?

    My friends, it is the sound of delicious justice.

    And that other noise? That's the sound of a house of cards beginning to collapse.

  10. Re:I think i speak for all of us when I say by Wavicle · · Score: 4, Funny

    Shhh! You are breaking my concentration! I'm trying to shed a bitter tear for them.

    --
    Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army.
    Edward Everett (1794 - 1865)
  11. Obligatory comment by A+nonymous+Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    I for one welcome SCO's new IBM overlords ... in fact, I like 'em so much I wish for a GRID of them!

  12. A source of nutrients by davmoo · · Score: 5, Funny

    I have started printing out SCOs press releases so I can save them and spread them on my garden for next year. Normally I would have to pay top dollar for bullshit that rich and strong.

    --
    I want a new quote. One that won't spill. One that don't cost too much. Or come in a pill.
  13. I always wondered where they went... by RobertB-DC · · Score: 5, Funny

    You know, after the dot-com bust, I wondered where all those "visionaries" went. You know, the ones who could charm millions of American Dollars from venture capitalists and day-trading shareholders with nothing more than a bottle of snake oil and a press release.

    I guess I found them:

    McBride proudly dumped two phone-book-sized binders of press clippings on the stage during his SCO Forum keynote on Monday as proof that his company had become more relevant in the high technology industry. SCO has issued 46 press releases since filing suit against IBM on March 7. Last year it issued only 29 press releases between March and August.

    Here I was, worried about unemployment among the "visionary entrepreneur" community. They're working for SCO! And just look at those results -- they've had a 58% increase in press release generation in just one year! I'm so glad to see that they've landed on their feet.

    Too bad the rug's about to get yanked out from under them again.

    --
    Stressed? Me? Of course not. Stress is what a rubber band feels before it breaks, silly.
  14. Re:I don't know about you by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Maybe we should sue IBM for not paying us...

  15. ESR on IBMs payroll? Right. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Darl: "they (IBM) have Eric Raymond on their payroll.":

    No, Eric is attacking SCO because he wants crush them. He wants to see them driven before him, and to hear the lamentations of their women.

  16. Apply for your compensation here... by Sun+Tzu · · Score: 3, Funny

    http://pyrll.ibm.com/rewardprograms/scobounty/reba teform.html is where I applied. I think they're paying quite generously for posts on message boards and even more if you have access to an authoritative-looking website. Now's your chance to use those 31337 h0x0ring sk1lz for big bux!
    --
    Send us your Linux Sysadmin articles.

  17. McBride's sources by hal9000 · · Score: 5, Funny

    From the first article (not that it matters):

    "McBride declined to reveal the sources of his allegations, ..."

    Anyone have a guess as to who these McBride sources are? My hunch is Miss Cleo.

    --
    Look out honey, 'cause I'm using technology; Ain't got time to make no apology
  18. Re:Fuck them. by fshalor · · Score: 4, Funny

    This is a little different. Elementry school dorks are stealing their lunches. The kindergardeners are getting in good punches. Soon, we're going to send in the diaper wearing users who accidentatly bought lindows computers from walmart.

    --
    -=fshalor ::this post not spellchecked. move along::
  19. 100,000,000,000 press releases! by Sebby · · Score: 4, Funny
    Soon we'll see McBride putting his pinky to his mouth and say "100 billion press releases!"

    ok, ok, old joke, but I just couldn't resist how he's so proud of his 40+ releases.

    --

    AC comments get piped to /dev/null
  20. Favorite Darl quote by JiffyPop · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Hundreds of customers like and use SCO's Unix products."

    I think that is a pretty good example of have "relevant" SCO is... This is like the director (?producer, someone else) of Gigli getting quoted as saying "I've seen worse movies [than Gigli]"

  21. McBride is scared... by wikthemighty · · Score: 5, Funny


    McBride: That's like if someone comes into your house while you're sleeping, takes your jewels, and as you start chasing them down...

    I'm no expert, but having dreams about about somebody cutting your balls off and running off with them doesn't sound good to me!

    --
    "There are people who do not love their fellow human being, and I _hate_ people like that!" - Tom Lehrer
  22. Not "they"; ... by burgburgburg · · Score: 5, Funny

    We. We are out to get them.

  23. SCO secretly hires Iraqi Information Minister... by harmless_mammal · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well, at least Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf has a job now...

  24. The SCO FAQ (revision 2) by heironymouscoward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Q: Why are SCO suing everyone?
    A: SCO is run by a bunch of vicious, lying, cowardly, greedy, sociopathic lawyers.

    Q: Why is IBM being so slow to respond?
    A: IBM is still coming to terms with the fact that a company such as SCO would be so entirely suicidal and stupid. They are not used to dealing with complete and utter morons.

    Q: Do SCO's actions present a danger to the Linux and OSS community?
    A: Yes, a sociopathic killer who hates you can present a danger. He might just get lucky with that ax he is waving.

    Q: Are SCO doing this for the money, for the shares?
    A: SCO's executives will end up in prison getting midnight visits from large violent criminals. But that kind of logic never stopped a sociopath before.

    Q: How can I defend myself from SCO?
    A: This would be a good time to move to Texas and get a larger gun.

    Q: Does SCO have any valid arguments at all?
    A: Strictly speaking, all arguments have equal merit when digested by stupid and possibly corrupt members of the press, as government ministries of disinformation have shown over the centuries. SCO remain, however, a stinkin' bunch of evil mutant fiends, and everthing they say should be taken to be concentrated pranoid drivel.

    Q: Who stands to gain from this circus?
    A: Entertainment is good for everyone, and it has been a slow summer, so SCO is actually contributing to the mental well-being of many people with their daily antics. For this we should be grateful. If you mean financial gain, the only party who stands to gain is Microsoft, who enjoy watching people attack the GPL and Free Software, because these represent a way of life that is entirely incompatible with its own.

    Q: Could Microsoft actually be behind SCO?
    A: Is George Bush the President of the US? OK, poor comparison. Yes, of course they are. Even evil, corrupt, whore-mongering, cocaine-sniffing running dogs like SCO's executives have a sense of self-interest and only leap into dark holes when they know they will be paid well for it.

    Q: How is Microsoft paying SCO, then?
    A: It only has to pay the executives. SCO is a publicly traded company. I presume MS is offering the SCO legal eagles direct and indirect financial support, promises of future comfort, what have you. There are so many ways...

    Q: Should I be buying SCO shares?
    A: YES, and if you do, I also have some very nice shares in a brand-new satellite network called Iridium that might interest you. They are sure to do amazing things!!

    --
    Ceci n'est pas une signature
  25. Millions of customers, or hundreds? by BuddhaDude · · Score: 5, Funny
    Here's the beginning of SCO's self-description, clipped from one of their latest press releases:
    About The SCO Group

    The SCO Group (Nasdaq: SCOX) helps millions of customers in more than 82 countries to grow their businesses with UNIX business solutions.
    And here's a quote from Darl's latest interview:
    The Canopy Group [of Utah] is an investment company. Those are just ignorant statements about SCO's business. Hundreds of customers like and use SCO's Unix products. (Emphasis mine)
    Hmmmm! At this rate they'll fade away in a couple of weeks or so.
  26. Re:Fuck them. by tomhudson · · Score: 5, Funny
    poster wrote:
    He's a cunt, plain and simple.
    No, no. cunts are useful, fun to play with, etc. :-) McBride's an asshole - the only thing that comes out of him is shit.

    Interviewer: Mr. McBride, how tall are you?
    McBride: (answers)
    Interviewer: Gee, I didn't know you could pile shit that high.

    On a side note, I had to defend McBride the other day, when someone said he wasn't fit to sleep with a pig. I said, "That's not true".

  27. Will someone think of the nerds? by Councilor+Hart · · Score: 3, Funny

    I fear that once SCO is dead and buried, /. nerds will fall in the biggest black hole ever found.
    Depression will be their part, afterall what to discuss/flame/hate/ridicule now?
    SCO, please don't go down. We need you for our daily laughter.

  28. SCO's Press Release Method by TitaniumFox · · Score: 5, Funny

    $HighSchoolGirl_1 : Tony said that in 3rd period Kelly saw Suzy and Sharon talking about Darl McBride passing notes in English class to Mark Heise!!!1!1!!

    $HighSchoolGirl_2 : Yeah, I know! The teacher caught them and read the note out loud before the class.

    $HSG_1 : Like, what'd it say?!?!!11!

    $HSG_2 : Well, I wasn't there, but Marcy said her friend was there, and Darl was like, "Hey Mark, we ro0l, and IBM sux0rs," and Mark was like, "Yeah, we should kick IBM's ass and take all their IP," and Mark was like "Those dirty linux-using geeks are messing up our plan, too," and Mark was like, "Yeah, I hate those damn hippies," and Darl was like, "We need to start our own web page so we can out IBM to everyone," and Mark was like "Yeah!!11! I can put it up on my 486DX at home! My parents got dialup, but it's 56k and shit. I've got this k-rad script that auto redials!"

    $HSG_1 : No. They didn't really say that, did they?!1!one!?

    $HSG_2 : YES. They. DID!!1! I think IBM and a few of their friends are going to meet up with Darl and Mark out in the parking lot after school...

    --
    -- I'd say your post was about 3 monkeys, 18 minutes.
  29. Re:SCO secretly hires Iraqi Information Minister.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny
    Someone had to do it, so the silent majority has finally spoken:

    http://welovethescoinformationminister.org/

    (Mirrors encouraged, to offset the dread Slashdot Effect.)

  30. Quoth the simpsons.. by Large+Green+Mallard · · Score: 4, Funny

    The scene, Dredrick Tatum, world heavyweight boxing champion is lecturering the class on staying in school, when nelson muntz becomes chemically attracted to Tatum as a bullying target after Lisa swabs tatum with sweat...

    Nelson: I can't help myself. [punches Tatum]
    Tatum: Young man, I insist that you desist.
    Nelson: Sorry. [continues punching] I'm so sorry. [near tears, he runs behind Tatum and gives him a wedgie] Please don't hurt me.
    Tatum: [rolling up his sleeve] You leave me little recourse.

    Source: http://www.snpp.com/episodes/CABF11

    I think there's a lesson in this for all of us.

  31. A translation by ENOENT · · Score: 4, Funny

    "I've been sending Linus emails describing my paranoid delusions, but he doesn't believe me. He's obviously an idiot."

    Heh. I wonder if the Flat Earth Society is in need of a new CEO. I think that Darl's SCO gig is going to end Real Soon Now.

    --
    That's "Mr. Soulless Automaton" to you, Bub.
  32. We Don't Hate Them by tds67 · · Score: 5, Funny
    We just dislike the way they try to disparage open source, try to hijack Linux, try to extort money from Linux users, try to pump and dump their stock, try to create a business model using the courts, try to prove they are still relevant by bragging about how much negative press they've generated, etc.

    No, we don't hate those people. And we certainly don't want to mash the SCO executives into a bloody pulp, either. Nor would we want to keep their body parts in our freezers. No. Hate is such a strong word.

    Let us put aside any negative feelings we might have toward them and simply put flame to some feces on their doorsteps.

  33. Re:Fuck them. by jeepee · · Score: 3, Funny

    No, no. cunts are useful, fun to play with, etc. :-) McBride's an asshole - the only thing that comes out of him is shit.

    Some people think assholes are useful, fun to play with, etc. :-) especially the guy at goatse.

    but McBride is really a pile of rotten, 5 days old, shit...

  34. Re:Fuck them. by McBride,+Darl · · Score: 3, Funny

    I happen to like the name "Darl". Be prepared to be sued for slander.

    --
    Darl McBride
    Chief Executive Officer
    Caldera International, Inc.
  35. Re:Fuck them. by Pinchy · · Score: 3, Funny
    What is the difference between Darl McBride and a bucket of shit?


    The bucket!

  36. SCO Hires Iraqi Information Minister by CHaN_316 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I think SCO should hire the Iraqi Information Minister to spread propaganda. A portfolio of the Minister's work is available here

    Here are some sample answers he could be giving in an interview:

    Question: What do you think are your chances of winning a lawsuit against an industry giant like IBM?

    "We are not afraid of [IBM]. Allah has condemned them. They are stupid. They are stupid" (dramatic pause) "and they are condemned."

    "I can say, and I am responsible for what I am saying, that they have started to commit suicide under the walls of [the courts]. We will encourage them to commit more suicides quickly."

    "My feelings - as usual - we will slaughter them all"

    Question: Could you elaborate on the perceived media attacks being launched against SCO?
    "I blame Al-Jazeera - they are marketing for [IBM]!"

    "Lying is forbidden in [SCO]. President [McBride] will tolerate nothing but truthfulness as he is a man of great honor and integrity. Everyone is encouraged to speak freely of the truths evidenced in their eyes and hearts."

    Question: What do you think will be a result of your lawsuit against Linux users?

    "Our estimates are that none of them will come out alive unless they surrender to us quickly."

    "We will welcome them with [lawsuits] and shoes."

    "Let the [Linux] infidels bask in their illusion"

    --
    "There is no spoon." - The Matrix
  37. EDITORS: proposal for new SCO article logo by babbage · · Score: 4, Funny
    It looks like the staff at E-Commerce Times have come up with a wonderful new logo for SCO articles, as scaled down to icon size by Google News (and I've stashed a backup of, just in case).

    It shouldn't be a Caldera logo anymore anyway. I think a picture of someone shooting themself in the foot is much more apropos :-)

  38. PROSCO by FrostedWheat · · Score: 3, Funny

    PRO-SCO

    Sounds nasty. Is there a cure for it yet?
    I hope it's not contagious!