09.14.07
The SCO Ship Throws Anchor in the Middle of the Pacific (Bankruptcy) (Updated)
Final destination for litigious abusers
It’s “Linux-mob justice” and “it’s not over,” the SCO sidlers yelled, but no… they were all wrong. The company that has given Linux legal headaches with its bogus allegations is now officially down.
SCO Group Inc., the embattled software company best known for litigation targeting distributors of open-source, Linux software, said Friday it has filed for bankruptcy.
Good riddance to bad rubbish. Now, however, attention should be paid to the next barrier, which comes from a company that owns the smiley. Some of those who do not seem to understand Free software have finally got around to admitting that software patents are the problem, not the GNU GPLv3, which strives to address this problem (among several others).
Anyway, I think Stallman’s ideas, though at times inflammatory, are definitely worth a few minutes, perhaps while you put those finishing touches on your “Mouse Pad for Lefties” patent submission.
As stated yesterday, all patent FUD from Microsoft can be immediately ignored, at least in some parts of the world where the claims needn’t even be tested in court (or outside it).
It is a good day for Linux. Darl McBride (pictured on the right) will have only fantasies left because SCO acknowledges that the toast is done.
Who’s hungry?
Update: things has just gotten even worse for SCO. Dale Kimball had their appeal for reconsideration rejected.
When it rains, it pours, they say. First, SCO files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and now on the same day Judge Dale Kimball has denied SCO’s Motion for Reconsideration or Clarification of the August 10, 2007 Order.
SVJN, who was probably unaware of this latest developments at the time, had the following to say:
What I really expect to happen is for SCO to go out of business sometime in the next year.
Time for SCO customer to migrate to Linux, as long as it’s not from Novell, Turbolinux, Linspire, or Xandros.
Recent articles to remember:
- SCO Tried to Gag Groklaw in 2004
- Can Microsoft get its $12 million back from SCO?
- The Goldfarb Declaration - Updated: MS Statement
According to the Declaration, Richard Emerson was not the only Microsoft employee Goldfarb was dealing with in connection with the BayStar investment in SCO. He mentions by name two others, from two other departments.
There is a lot more evidence that teaches us about the SCO-Microsoft connection.
Highlight: Novell was the first to acknowledge that Microsoft FUD tactics had substance. Novell then used anti-Linux FUD to market itself. 
Highlight: Xandros let Microsoft make patent claims and brag about (paid-for) OOXML support. 
Highlight: Linspire's CEO not only fell into Microsoft arms, but he also assisted the company's attack on GNU/Linux. 
Highlight: Microsoft craves pseudo (proprietary) standards and gets its way using proxies and influence which it buys. 
Highlight: The invasion into the open source world is intended to leave Linux companies neglected, due to financial incentives from Microsoft. 
Analysis: Xen, an open source hypervisor, possibly fell victim to Microsoft's aggressive (and stealthy) acquisition-by-proxy strategy. 