SCO Will Give Customers a Discount To Drop Linux and Use Any Proprietary Software

GROKLAW ^ | 7 November 2003 | Pamela Jones

[ShadowAce]

SCO isn't putting out press releases like it used to. Surely it wants you to know that it has cooked up yet another way to be loathsome to Linux.

It will expand its licensing program (because it's been such a success, I'm sure) and now they will be "offering a migration path" so their customers can escape Linux and return to proprietary operating systems. Note the plural, please. Like, for example, Unix, even a competitor's Unix. Some say they mean Microsoft. Well, well. Why ever might they want to send their customers to Microsoft?

Here's what it says in SCO's 8K filed with the SEC on October 17:

"SCO IP Licensing and Migration Initiative — In connection with SCO’s intellectual property enforcement effort, SCOsource, SCO has alleged that the Linux 2.4 and the upcoming 2.6 kernel contain SCO intellectual property. In an effort to offer marketplace solutions to these Linux-related intellectual property issues, SCO released a licensing program to offer Linux users a right-to-use binary mode only license, subject to certain limitations. In the coming months, SCO intends to expand the licensing program to include migration options for those end users who may be looking for alternatives to Linux. Over the past several months, SCO has had discussions with several major companies for the purpose of bolstering SCO’s intellectual property licensing and migration initiative."

There they go again. Claiming the 2.6 kernel before they've even see what is in it. The Microsoft angle not clear enough for you? Let's take a look, then, at this article in Computer Business Review:

"SCO would probably provide customers with financial incentives and discounts to migrate to SCO Unix, other vendors' Unix, and what he referred to as 'other proprietary operating systems' but probably Windows.

"'We are offering a migration path to other operating systems that have a stronger IP basis than Linux,' the spokesperson said. Incentives will be offered 'in the coming months.'"

So, they will actually more or less pay you to quit using Linux, all you freedom-loving folks. If this story is accurate, they don't care what you use, as long as it isn't Linux. They are willing to even lose you as a customer and send you to another vendor, if necessary. Now, there's solid business thinking. Unless... nah, all those rumors can't be true, can they? I'd better not say what I'm thinking or I'll be deluged with email from Microsoft astroturfers, telling me not to say things unless I can prove them. So, let's just observe a moment of silence, everyone, and we can each entertain our own thoughts on what this might mean. I know *my* thoughts on this subject are thoroughly entertaining.

Financial incentives and discounts. Who can resist? What is freedom in comparison with discounts?

Give me discounts or give me death. Isn't that how it goes?

[ShadowAce]

Tech Ping

[Incorrigible]

Just to be safe, everyone should purchase and install Microsoft Windows on all their computers.

[Michael Barnes]

WTF?

[ShadowAce]

I already pinged him. :)

[rdb3]

The Penguin Ping.

Wanna be Penguified? Just holla!

Got root?

[devnull]

This is a violation of the Clayton Act

§ 3 Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. § 14

Sale, etc., on agreement not to use goods of competitor

It shall be unlawful for any person engaged in commerce, in the course of such commerce, to lease or make a sale or contract for sale of goods, wares, merchandise, machinery, supplies, or other commodities, whether patented or unpatented, for use, consumption, or resale within the United States or any Territory thereof or the District of Columbia or any insular possession or other place under the jurisdiction of the United States, or fix a price charged therefor, or discount from, or rebate upon, such price, on the condition, agreement, or understanding that the lessee or purchaser thereof shall not use or deal in the goods, wares, merchandise, machinery, supplies, or other commodities of a competitor or competitors of the lessor or seller, where the effect of such lease, sale, or contract for sale or such condition, agreement, or understanding may be to substantially lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly in any line of commerce.

[Petronski]

In the coming months, SCO intends to expand the licensing program to include migration options for those end users who may be looking for alternatives to Linux.

Is there any doubt SCO is taking orders from Redmond?

[Nick Danger]

Is there any doubt SCO is taking orders from Redmond?

No.

[PAR35]

Just to be safe, everyone should purchase and install Microsoft Windows on all their computers.

You may have it backwards. Perhaps everyone should install Linux on their computer, and then get SCO to pay them to not use a program that they are not using anyway.

[Petronski]

Just to be safe, everyone should purchase and install Microsoft Windows on all their computers.

To be extremely safe, one should install all versions of Microsoft Windows on all their computers, in a massive multi-boot setup.

[kevkrom]

To be extremely safe, one should install all versions of Microsoft Windows on all their computers, in a massive multi-boot setup.

But the cumulative bloat, security holes, and viruses will likely turn the hard drive into a black hole.

[Wampus SC]

"To be extremely safe, one should install all versions of Microsoft Windows on all their computers, in a massive multi-boot setup."

You left out DOS 3.3 and CP/M...

[Prime Choice]

Just to be safe, everyone should purchase and install Microsoft Windows on all their computers.

Sure...using Windows makes you safer. And Islam is a Religion of Peace. You betcha! ; )

[Prime Choice]

So lemme see if I got this straight. SCO is offering people discounts on proprietary software to drop Linux.

In other words, if I stop using something that costs me nothing, they'll give me a meager discount something else that'll empty my pocketbook like nothing else.

What planet are these jokers from anyway?

[Golden Eagle]

Throw two "probably"'s together and post it on some anonymous blog and the whole Linux community spins on their head for the weekend. Where did this come from, Ms. Cleo? Or Tokyo Rose.

[ShadowAce]

Is there any doubt SCO is taking orders from Redmond?

No.

IANAL, but does this action by MS open them up to any liability from IBM or others for malicious litigation?

[Petronski]

IANAL, but does this action by MS open them up to any liability from IBM or others for malicious litigation?

It is a question of proof; and in this case, quite a lot of proof would be needed.

[Petronski]

You left out DOS 3.3 and CP/M...

Ahhh, CP/M. I remember that well.

But such an installation would not profit Mother Microsoft, and thus was omitted from the list.

[Petronski]

But the cumulative bloat, security holes, and viruses will likely turn the hard drive into a black hole.

Longhorn!