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Linux Users Beware: SCO's Still Got You In Its Sights

In Monday's issue of InformationWeek, I take a closer look at the latest turns in SCO's quixotic court fight against IBM. To get you through the weekend, here's a critical tidbit you need to know about now if you're a Linux user, or if you're even thinking about using Linux.

An online newsflash I wrote last week about the case quotes ubiquitous IT analyst Rob Enderle as saying Linux users could "breathe easier" after a judge threw out most of SCO's claims against IBM.

We got some feedback accusing InformationWeek, and Rob, of scaremongering. Apparently, many readers believe SCO is no longer interested in chasing down individual Linux users as it seeks to enforce what it claims is its rights to parts of the code. One chastised me for "speculating" that SCO ever really posed a threat to Linux users.

Speculating? SCO sued Linux-using companies DaimlerChrysler and AutoZone over the issue in 2004. That after SCO CEO Darl McBride published a windy open letter citing everyone from James Madison to former Chief Justice William Rehnquist in his effort to defend the company's litigious ways.

To the point: An SCO PR rep I spoke to yesterday told me there has been "no change" to the company's position on the matter since that letter was published in 2003. That SCO hasn't sued more Linux users in the interim is likely mostly to do with the fact that its legal fight with IBM has it stretched thin. IBM won a big victory last week, but the case isn't over. Pay attention, and let us know if SCO has you worried.

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