And the Ahab Award for relentless and ultimately fatal pursuit goes to … SCO … again
When it comes to SCO and its long and fruitless battle to claim ownership of part of the Unix code in the face of a total lack of supporting evidence, it’s hard not to think of Monty Python’s Black Knight, still full of bluster while blood shoots from the stumps of all four limbs (see “SCO: It’s just a flesh wound!“). But now it could finally be lights out for this knight.
In SCO v. Novell, one of the suits arising from SCO’s claims, U.S. District Judge Dale Kimball ruled late Friday that “Novell is the owner of the UNIX and UnixWare Copyrights,” a decision that would seem to cut whatever legs are left out from under SCO’s suit claiming IBM appropriated its intellectual property in its Linux distribution. “That’s Aaaaall, Folks!” writes Groklaw’s Pamela Jones, chief chronicler of the cases. “The court also ruled that ‘SCO is obligated to recognize Novell’s waiver of SCO’s claims against IBM and Sequent.’ That’s the ball game. There are a couple of loose ends, but the big picture is, SCO lost. Oh, and it owes Novell a lot of money from the Microsoft and Sun licenses.” As for SCO v. IBM, Judge Kimball gave the parties until the end of the month to turn in their versions of the implications of the Novell ruling, seeing as how it “significantly impacts the claims and counterclaims asserted.” SCO, staying in character, remains defiant, but this epic just might be nearing the final curtain, a loss sure to be felt by fans of GMSV headlines (see “Last act at SCO talent show: an aria by a woman of size“).
Finally, and it’s about time. This has been the biggest farce of a lawsuit. I’m waiting now for someone to file suit against SCO for extorting those license fees. My only hope is that SCO sinks quietly under the waves never to be seen again, much like Atlantis.
One can only hope “and pray!” that this will spend end to a bunch of money grubbing idiots who have been chipping away at just about anyone who owns stuff, and claiming it belongs to them. Intellectual property rights? They do not exist according to these SCO legal beagles. Illegal beagles?
I’m actually very sad.
I worked with SCO for many years - they are good people. Particularly, Kieran O’shaunessy - who tirelessly promoted SCO in Asia/pacific, and is an honourable man.
The real villan of the piece is Rob Enderle - who pissed in Darl McBride’s gullible ears, and stooged SCO to carry on his vendetta against IBM in this new arena, only to point an laugh when it all went sour from his ivory tower of “Enderly consulting group”. I met him in 2004 (ScoForum) - he was a poisoned, vindictive man.
Now many fine Engineers, many good people will lose their livelyhoods - and for what. A useless endeavor.
Very sad.
Julian Perry.