Clever, damn clever

Clever, damn clever

Brilliant is a better word. It amplifies a point others make, that SCOldera could not have unwittingly contributed GPL code, that even if they did they cannot claim protection due to their own unclean hands and failure to attempt to mitigate damages, and that they are (in the words of some) "lying". That IBM hit SCO with their own license too, is just absolutely fantastic.

SCO employees were contributors and were openly praised by management - a fact they try to hide on the website, via threats to WayBack, etc. Evidence withholding? IANAL, but it reeks. And what of modified materials that remain - evidence tampering? Again, IANAL: you'll have to decide yourself. SCO and Caldera benefit from open source code even to this day: because of their GPL releases, or, the corresponding invalid release of other GPL code. Co-opting the works of others, and either falsely claiming credit, or wantonly misleading customers and investors? Hmmm, IANAL, you decide.

All of which ignores involvement of employees like Blake Stowell, and Canopy people such as Ralph Yarrow or Ryan Tibbits, with companies like Lineo, which distributed code under GPL with the knowledge, consent, and praise of those same people. Did Yarrow assist in the sale of Lineo? Did Tibbits assist in creation of Lineo's "GPL indemnification" plan? Did Blake Stowell promote it? Did any company take advantage of it, and if so, could they or another company (like Metrowerks, which bought Lineo) become ultimate owner of the entire SCO and Linux code even if SCO prevails - and demand indemnification from SCO and Canopy to boot? How delicious!

Ransom notes that the trouble began far before SCO execs admit now - not surprising, given the potential insider trading ramifications. Or the possible problems it could raise for Canopy with regards to sale of Lineo.

Ransom's interview is a nice start. Now, it's time for other Caldera and Canopy people to step forward and do the right thing. Where is Bryan Sparks? Tim Bird? Allan Smart? Is Ransom the only one trying to save his soul?

The SCO suit has been a stain on the State of Utah and the LDS Church (which invests in Canopy) since the day it was launched. Between Ransom stepping up to the honesty plate, and IBM's brilliant move, maybe we can put an end to the FUD that has been the hallmark of SCO activity lately.

For the record: I'm a former Caldera Thin Clients employee, a former CTO from Lineo, and like Ransom, I no longer own a single share or option of stock in any above-named companies. I also don't believe SCO has a good legal case, a good technical case, or a good business model if that model is "money through litigation". Don't ask me what I think of their ethics, OK?

John Drabik