Screaming Penguin - Source Does Matter

IBM purchased its UNIX rights from ATT whom created it, SCO purchased the rights and ownership of UNIX from ATT 10 years later and is now threatening IBM. Now SCO is suing IBM claiming 1 Billion in damages. I dont know all the details of the case but basically SCO claims IBM is/has been engaged in anti-competitive practices by destroying the "economic value" of UNIX (particularly on Intel) in order to benefit its Linux business. The "facts" of the anti competitive measures IBM has alleged to have made have not yet been "fleshed out" but SCO promises more detail soon at http://www.sco.com/scosource/.

In addition SCO has threatened to unlicense AIX if IBM does not cease its anti competitive practices.

Wow. SCO could apparently sue all kinds of UNIX people because they own the original licensing? And add to that the fact that whether SCO was TRULY DAMAGED BY IBM ACTIONS OR NOT they are holding that license card over the head of IBM in a type of blackmail.

Again I dont know all the facts but my initial take/feeling is SCO is making a VERY underhanded and despicable move. I dont think IBM has devalued UNIX as much as Linux has devalued UNIX and IBM has realized/capitalized on that. I will try to reserve final judgement for now, but until then I will no longer be planning on checking out UnitedLinux or anything remotely related to SCO.

And this whole mess, buying the rights 10 years AFTERWARDS and then suing somebody another 8 years after that GREATLY illustrates how open source software can protect your business and how viable and essential licenses like the GPL are.   SCO sues IBM over Linux, seeks $1 billion: ITWorld.com