Should I Make Out The Check To Microsoft?

[hard candy]

Microsoft To License Unix Code (http://news.com.com/2100-1016_3-1007528.html)
Who Stole SCO's Lollipop? (http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1107_2-1007575.html)

Does this mean that the paperclip thing will be in OpenOffice and Koffice?
I am mailing back my Caldera OpenLinux disks to SCO with postage due. I should send back the manual first class with postage due also. I am reminded of Star Wars -The Empire Strikes Back-things look dark for the Alliance.

[Icarus]

It means that if SCO wins MS can't be sued.

MS has a couple Unix products and they don't want to be bothered with SCO going after them also...as we all know that MS has Unix code in Windows (or did you think the zlib bug ordeal last year was a coincidence?)

[irlandes]

I looked at the link. I can predict what will happen if a lot of folks panic and dump linux. Linux would pretty much lose all its rapid increase in usage, most of us would continue to use it at home, but it would essentially be a dead duck.

Then, SCO will go completely out of business, as everyone also starts dumping UNIX so they don't get sued for allegedly stealing more intellectual property from UNIX any time they develop something on their own.

Then, as soon as SCO is out of business, linux will come back and take over, since it is essentially not dependent upon corporate existence as UNIX is.

And, it will almost certainly continue to grow without stopping in other countries.

These SCO guys really aren't too smart.

[hard candy]

For the newcomer like me, here is a short development tree of Unix. SCO claims to own the AT&T branch. UNIX tree (http://www.ehlis.com/adam/solaris/history.html)

[El_Cu_Guy]

mahdi --

I was just reading this and the other (locked) thread concerning this. Moderators should "get their information straight as well".

First you don't lease a license. You purchase one. Just like IBM they would be given the option to renew it.

Microsoft isn't doing this for any legal reasons. Most of the code they use is BSD or old code SCO release under the orginal BSD license. SCO has made claims against MS as they seem to believe they have some sort of umbrella-like control over all unices.

Another reason for Microsoft's actions is PR. It's a sort of "look at those IBM/linux-thieves and how they can't create an quality OS without stealing", forgetting their own prior actions of theft. It a battle of ethics in the customers mind.

Caldera is in toilet both legally and financially. SCO may be forced to give up all rights to Unix given the history (laid out by Bruce Perens). Either that or it will be acquired by another party possibly but not limited to IBM.

Ms would still be vulnerable to SCO lawsuits from any claims of using code which predates the newly acquied license.

hard candy --

The page you provided is outdated. The UNIX code was acquired from Novell by Cladera some time ago.

[Icarus]

Sorry El_Cu_Guy, but you don't buy a license on a yearly basis. MS isn't trying to OWN the code, they want to use it. Big difference. SCO claims to OWN the code.

Other then that, I agree with everything else you said :)
Bit not sure about them using 'mostly BSD'...

[JohnT]

Send the checks to me------>

[hard candy]

The page you provided is outdated. The UNIX code was acquired from Novell by Cladera some time ago.
Isn't the line at the bottom going from Novell to SCO the one you are talking about?

[El_Cu_Guy]

Sorry El_Cu_Guy, but you don't buy a license on a yearly basis.

A license can be restricted to a single day. Licenses can allow you to use, modify and distribute code for 6 months then you can't do squat. Simply licensing it doesn't mean that you own it. If IBM were to fail to renew/renegotiate it's Unix license AIX distribution would cease.

MS isn't trying to OWN the code, they want to use it. Big difference. SCO claims to OWN the code.

WTF!?! MS is purchaing a license to the Unix code. IBM does the same thing. They have for years (Sun and HP bought out their licenses IBM did not). I never made mention that this will mean that MS will own anything.

The SCO Group does own the rights to the original AT&T USL code. The Open Group owns the Unix trademark (you can't call it Unix unless it's certified by TOG). SCO does own the rights to the UNIX system source code.


Isn't the line at the bottom going from Novell to SCO the one you are talking about?

No. That line shows the purchase of Unix by SCO not Caldera. I know it's confusing Let me clarify.

*Novell sells to SCO (The Santa Cruz Operation)
*Caldera buys SCO, aquires Unix, OpenServer and UnixWare
*Caldera changes name to The SCO Group (SCO)