Two Opinions on SCO, IBM, Code, and IP
Jun 25, 2003, 04:00 (15 Talkback[s])
(Other stories by Con Zymaris, Richard Wilder)
CyberSource: Linux vs. SCO: The Decision Matrix
[ Thanks to Con
Zymaris for this link. ]
"Since the Linux vs. SCO dispute has become quite complex, I
have taken the time to distil the various issues of contention into
a format which lends itself to easier digestion, and have drawn
possible likely outcomes for these issues raised by SCO. Sources
for all claims made herein are supplied as footnotes..."
Complete Story
CNET News: Open Source's Moment of Truth
[ Thanks to Jeff
Smelser for this link. ]
"Regardless of the case's outcome, however, the specter of
liability has already been raised among the notoriously risk-averse
ranks of corporate information officers. Already, industry analysts
from Gartner have advised corporations to reconsider implementing
Linux, especially on 'mission critical' systems. In addition, SCO
ensured that at least 1,500 of IBM's customers were aware of the
potential risks when it sent them letters threatening direct legal
action.
"This tactic may seem strange to people who aren't lawyers--how
could 1,500 companies infringe property rights they did not know
existed when they bought their software? U.S. copyright and patent
laws do not include an absolute protection against 'innocent
infringement' of such rights, although damages may be reduced for
acts performed before you have notice of the rights. Once on
notice, however, an 'innocent' purchaser is liable for damages and
subject to an injunction if they continue to use or sell copies of
the software..."
Complete Story
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