October 15th ... October 15th

October 15th ... October 15th

Posted Sep 23, 2003 17:19 UTC (Tue) by jre (subscriber, #2807)
Parent article: SCO to Red Hat: you have no complaint

The timing of this suit is becoming increasingly awkward for SCO, as the promised date approaches for the infamous "Linux license" invoices to go out. Groklaw has put SCO on notice that it faces multiple lawsuits and possible criminal prosecution as soon as they start sending invoices. Additionally, it tends to undercut SCO's case (to say the least) to start sending invoices so soon after arguing that Red Hat's fears are groundless. Perhaps the most revealing comment is that SCO "had expected the possibility of a global resolution" at the time Red Hat announced its intention to file suit. No kidding -- SCO gambled that at least a handful of the 1500 threatened companies would roll over and pay them off, letting them hold another press conference and claim grand success with their "licensing program" (without naming names, of course). That gamble is looking like a bust right about now.

SCO is in a tight spot -- either they start sending invoices, and release an avalanche of legal action against them, or they quietly forget to send invoices, revealing themselves to be cowards as well as bullies. Whatever they do, the market will notice, and react.

If SCO chooses option (A), the response is obvious: let loose the dogs of war!

But if, as is more likely, they choose option (B), I propose we embarrass the hell out of them. Every time a SCO spokesman speaks in public, there should be someone with a sign reading "Hey, Darl -- where are the invoices?" At the next Chris-und-Darl conference call, that should be question #1. I also like noyfb's suggestion: let's see how many web sites would like to put up a big "SCO bluff clock" a la James Randi, showing how many days the threatened invoices are overdue. After months of frustration and anger, it's about time we had some fun!

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