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Indemnification Roundup

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the watching-your-back dept.

Skapare writes "O'Reilly Network's LinuxDevCenter has a great article summarizing the indemnification possibilities for businesses considering switching to (or staying with) Linux. Author Tom Adelstein covers the business risk mitigation aspects of using Linux today, and details available indemnification offerings from Novell, HP, Red Hat, and OSRM. So why not print a copy and send it to your company CEO."

4 of 120 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Am I safe just running Microsoft stuff? by aixou · · Score: 5, Informative

    I suppose it's somewhat analagous to volcano insurance. Everything's cool until your house is covered in soot.

    Do I need to buy or worry about this kind of stuff when I buy Microsoft software?

    No, but then Microsoft software is all done in house. 95% (give or take) of software included in a Red Hat distribution was not created by Red Hat, so they don't have the same level of accountability as Microsoft. With an indemnification plan, they are taking on the accountability of the linux kernel writers, which might give a justified peace of mind to any potential customer.

  2. Re:I agree. by weave · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Why is it even necessary to get this kind of insurance, it would be the company selling the software to me that is liable, not myself unless I decide to redistribute it, and even then...

    Well, anyone can sue anyone for any reason, so there are risks for just existing. Any larger company has a legal department and a legal budget as it is.

    My point is, there's nothing to stop some small software maker in Australia from claiming that a technology inside Microsoft SQL server violates their patent or copyright and threaten to sue end users of SQL server (which I seem to recall actually did happen).

    Risks are everywhere. Please stop supporting the myth that using Linux is extra risky.

  3. Re:Am I safe just running Microsoft stuff? by weave · · Score: 5, Insightful
    No?

    Does Microsoft not hire programmers that used to work at other firms, for example? Couldn't they "accidently" contribute code from a former employer's products? Are you willing to indemnify all users of Microsoft that they are not under any legal risk for using Microsoft software if you are so sure?

  4. Just proving them right by Rat+Tank · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I wouldn't be so quick to indemnify myself; this just 'shows' SCO and their paid shills that they're right.
    "Look, these Linux users are getting indemnification ... they obviously know they've stolen our code for communist activities!"