Novell offers legal protection for Linux

CNET ^ | January 12, 2004, 4:01 PM PST | Stephen Shankland

[bcoffey]

You know, this SCO claim re:Linux is about as funny as watching a Democratic debate (esp. if Sharpton is particpating)

[rdb3]

The Penguin Ping.

Wanna be Penguified? Just holla!

Got root?

[ryanjb2]

Ok, so how does this affect users of SuSE Linux Personal, like me? I bought it, installed it, and am in the process of learning Linux. I only use it because it is a valuable skill in the IT market, not because I am dissatified with Windows.

Are they going to go after individual users?

[MetalMan]

Last I read they're only looking at comercial use. I'm just as confused about this whole situation as the next person though. I'm waiting for the judges to laugh SCO out of the courtroom and this can all go away.

[steve-b]

SCO spokesman Blake Stowell criticized the industry's legal protection efforts

Transcript of Stowell's comments:

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Chewbacca. Chewbacca is a Wookiee from the planet Kashyyyk who carried a gun and ran from the mob. But Chewbacca lives on the planet Endor. Now think about it. That does not make sense. Why would a Wookiee, an eight-foot-tall Wookiee, want to live on Endor with a bunch of two-foot-tall Ewoks. That does not make sense.
But more important, you have to ask yourself what does this have to do with this case. Nothing. Ladies and Gentlemen, it has nothing to do with this case. It does not make sense. Look at me. I'm a hacker defending myself and I'm talkin' about Chewbacca. Does that make sense? Ladies and Gentlemen I am not making any sense. None of this makes sense. And so you have to remember when you're in that jury room deliberating and conjugating this case, does it make sense? No. Ladies and Gentlemen of this supposed jury it does not make sense. If Chewbacca lives on Endor you must acquit.
I know I seem guilty. But ladies and gentlemen this is Chewbacca. Now think about that for one minute. That does not make sense. Why am I talking about Chewbacca when my life is on the line? Why? I'll tell you why. I don't know. It doesn't make sense. If Chewbacca does not make sense you must acquit. Here look at the monkey , look at the silly monkey.
The defense rests.

[FastCoyote]

If you have no beef with Windows, you aren't much of an IT person. Study your Linux a little harder. Novell and Microsoft have traded positions, first Novell was unassailable and Microsoft gave away cheap software. Now Novell is using the same tactic.

All operating systems have flaws, I'd be wary of being stuck with just one.

[js1138]

I thought yesterday was the deadline for SCO to file its evidence.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

ROFL!!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I got confused on that too. From another thread thanks to -- TechJunkYard :
We won't really know anything officially until the January 23rd hearing.

[Sky99]

Linux is done. Microsoft has the whole market.

[Petronski]

SUSE, as of last summer, was not quite ready for prime time. But now, owned by Sun, I expect that this time next year their product will be quite good.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Actually, I think it is Novell that has bought SuSe!

[Petronski]

Actually, I think it is Novell that has bought SuSe!

Yes, I misspoke. But my point about deep American pockets helping out SUSE is the same, I think.`

[Musket]

Wha??? Linux is actually rising. Microsoft has 90%+- of the whole DESKTOP market, not THE WHOLE market. Linux has 30%+ of the server market - and rising. Pay closer attention. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

That is what I understand!

Microsoft needs the server market to keep growing!

The uproar works in their favor!

[Salo]

Novell has released its unix correspondence with SCO and placed it on its web site. It's also available at Groklaw. Some very interesting stuff concerning IBM.

[antiRepublicrat]

SCO spokesman Blake Stowell criticized the industry's legal protection efforts--both indemnification and legal defense programs.

When OSDL announced their legal defense fund, SCO said it was evidence they were right, and companies should indemnify their users if they think they're on solid IP ground. Well, it's happening and SCO is criticizing it as supporting its position. They are quite desperate to try this in the public.

[TechJunkYard]

js1138:	I thought yesterday was the deadline for SCO to file its evidence.
Ernest_at_the_Beach:	I got confused on that too.

The December 12th order gave SCO the 30 days to comply. Now, in the court transcript, the judge stated:

SCO is to file its responses within 30 days of the entry of this order, and if, for some reason, it is in good faith unable to obtain a particular portion of that, then it must file the appropriate affidavits indicating why it cannot.

I don't know if the word file means they needed to file it with the court, with copies to IBM, etc.; in any event, it would be up to IBM to determine whether SCO's response is adequate, and I would further postulate that because of this comment by the judge:

And the -- you -- both parties will be expected to abide by the protective order that is currently in place. I will set this matter for a hearing.

... we won't hear anything about this until the hearing date.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Juicy, Juicy!!!

What a soap opera!!!

and guess what:

MS Would Like You to Consider an Alternative to Linux for Your Server Needs

Monday, January 12 2004 @ 10:18 PM EST  

Remember when Microsoft bought a license from SCO back in May and you asked why they would bother? While the question is probably still valid, here is one likely answer. Yahoo News says Microsoft is preparing to launch its Windows Services For Unix 3.5:   More detail at Groklaw:

here