Well, the simple answer is that the GPL and linux need a good high profile test in order to establish their legitimacy to the business world. Sure, the GPL is well written and understandable - but until its really tested no one knows.
A second point: they went right after the biggest dog. The way to really screw linux would have been to start with the little guys. Run them out of cash and start setting some legal precedent. Once set, linux would have been in real trouble. But IBM has some of the best IP lawyers (and in house facilities for tracking IP) in the world. The chances that IBM will lose this case are almost nothing.
So, my hat is off to SCO. The most wonderful way for a company to commit suicide I have ever seen!
While I suspected this and I believe you, it still didn't really answer my question. Is this kind of thing simply too hard to do in software? Or does it violate some FCC regulations? I'm not surprised that it can't be done - I just wonder _why_? If you could just point to some info that would be cool too. Thanks.
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Really! They are doing us a favor. How?
Well, the simple answer is that the GPL and linux need a good high profile test in order to establish their legitimacy to the business world. Sure, the GPL is well written and understandable - but until its really tested no one knows.
A second point: they went right after the biggest dog. The way to really screw linux would have been to start with the little guys. Run them out of cash and start setting some legal precedent. Once set, linux would have been in real trouble. But IBM has some of the best IP lawyers (and in house facilities for tracking IP) in the world. The chances that IBM will lose this case are almost nothing.
So, my hat is off to SCO. The most wonderful way for a company to commit suicide I have ever seen!
While I suspected this and I believe you, it still didn't really answer my question. Is this kind of thing simply too hard to do in software? Or does it violate some FCC regulations? I'm not surprised that it can't be done - I just wonder _why_? If you could just point to some info that would be cool too. Thanks.