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Monday, May 19, 2003 |
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" Microsoft will license the rights to Unix technology from SCO Group, a move that could impact the battle between Windows and Linux in the market for computer operating systems." [News.com]
There is a chance that this is much bigger news than people seem to be assuming. The billion-dollar question is, did MS buy a right-to-sue? That is, can MS now sue infringers of SCO's patents? My understanding is that that is a right which may be purchased, even without buying the patents themselves (something MS could obviously do if they wanted by acquiring SCO if necessary).
SCO thinks it has grounds to sue any user of linux. Suppose MS starts turning its lawyer-power on small companies using linux, which have no hope of combatting the suit adequately. Who would risk using Linux then, when alternatives such as Sparc and Intel Solaris are available? Even if a top crack legal team could reasonably argue that SCO's claims are invalid, it might not even matter to most businesses.
In order to avoid alienating people, they won't do something like that unless they feel it's necessary.
If Linux's success continues to grow, and if countries like China settle on it, the level of such perceived necessity will rise correspondingly. |
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