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HP Clarifies Indemnification Offer For Linux Users

Posted by timothy on from the do-scos-respond-to-mace dept.

After HP extended an offer of indemnification to users who purchase Linux through HP, SCO issued a strange press release: in it, SCO claims that HP's action actually supports SCO's claims that "issues exist" with the Linux kernel's legal status. In an article at NewsForge (like Slashdot, part of OSDN), HP's Martin Fink roundly denies SCO's backhanded interpretation; a followup story quotes Bruce Perens, Linus Torvalds and ESR on the HP offer. Linus: "Indemnification is wonderful. It might be a cynical marketing tactic, but if people are asking for it, why not?" The first article also points out the limited nature of HP's indemnification claims, which are definitely not blanket protection -- installing patches not approved by HP could well make them wash their hands of your machine.

7 of 275 comments (clear)

  1. SCO claims that HP agrees that issues exist by Trigun · · Score: 5, Funny

    Didn't see that one coming, did we?

    1. Re:SCO claims that HP agrees that issues exist by deuce868 · · Score: 5, Funny

      You have to give them credit, they can spin anything and get it out quickly. It's like a drive-thru PR dept.

  2. The Saga Continues by mopslik · · Score: 5, Funny

    This gets more amusing each day. It's like watching a bratty child try to argue against something they have little knowledge about.

    HP: "We're offering indemnity to our customers who..."
    SCO: "Ha! So you admit that your customers need indemnity!"
    HP: "No, we're saying that should a lawsuit arise..."
    SCO: "Haha! So you believe there should be lawsuits against Linux users!"
    HP: "No, listen. We're saying that your claims..."
    SCO: "HAHA! So you agree with our claims!"
    HP: "Alright, listen you little..."
    SCO: *fingers in ears* "I can't heeeeear you!"

  3. So... by smackjer · · Score: 5, Funny

    So if I offer my personal security services to young college girls who don't want to be raped, does that imply that the girls who DON'T hire me WANT to be raped?

    --

    This is my sig. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
  4. Gift horse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    You gotta appreciate the turnaround time though. I wish my mechanic was this quick..

  5. Getting lost? Simple analogy... by WwWonka · · Score: 5, Funny

    [SCO] I'm going to stab you in the heart with this stick cause you may be cheating with my wife!

    [HP] Buy and wear our armor chestplate and if they really do stab you you'll be protected.

    [SCO] SEE!!! They have proven by you wearing their chestplate that you are banging my wife!

  6. SCO claims that /. agrees that issues exist by burgburgburg · · Score: 5, Funny

    SCO representative Ima Loon pointed out that SCO had significantly more reports and comments then any other subject on /. except for Microsoft. "As we've previously shown with our big, big book of press clippings, the size and frequency of discussions concerning our company is the clearest indicator of the legitimacy of any legal claims that we are making." said Ima.