Just create the perception

Just create the perception

Posted Jul 15, 2005 10:07 UTC (Fri) by rev (guest, #15082)
In reply to: The Michael Davidson Email - SCO v. IBM (Groklaw) by vblum
Parent article: The Michael Davidson Email - SCO v. IBM (Groklaw)

Well, I'm speculating here, maybe Darl & Co decided that one doesn't need actual infringing code to collect protection money. It suffices to create the public perception that Linux contains Caldera/TSG's copyrighted material. Hence have selected journalist sign a restrictive NDA. Show them two sheets of paper, the contents of the first you claim come from your source code, the contents of the second you claim are copied bits found in Linux, and have these journalists spread your gospel. Brag about millions of lines of copied code (which statements, with an enormous stretch (X, BSD code)) are true) in public statements. Hire a high profile laywer to sue an high profile target for an enormous amount of money.

It might be, that Caldera/TSG actually believes that IBM and Linux have damaged them enourmously. Here's a first aproximation of a disection of Darl-think:

Some Axioms underlying Caldera/TSG's belief system (needs not to be consistent):

1) Only companies are capable of producing quality products.
2) Linux is a community effort.
3) Linux is a quality product.
4) Linux is a Unix flavour.
5) The original Unix is the mother of all Unix flavours.
6) Caldera/TSG owns the original Unix.
7) When you are in posession of an original OS XYZ you are entitled to have (near) monopoly on XYZ
8) The US constitution and US copyright law gives an enterpreneur the right to get (very) wealthy over selling copyrighted material.
9) Linux has a far greater market share than Caldera/TSG's offering
10) Linux became a quality product due to IBM's involvement.

A: From 1-5 it follows that Linux must contain "stolen" material from the original Unix.

B: From 1-9 it follows that Linux has denied Caldera/TSG's fundamental right to wealth.

C: From A) and B) it follows that Linux is unlawful.

D: from B it follows that it has no right to exist.

E: From 5), 7), 8) and D) it follows that Caldera/TSG essentially owns Linux.

F: From B) (and 7) it follows that SCO/Caldera has suffered enourmous damages.

A)-E) justify a royalty/protection money collection campaign.

From F) and 10) it follows that IBM owes Caldera/TSG a lot of money.

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