Posted 8:28 AM (0) comments

Tully Bascomb and Linux

Lindows.com, the Windows-on-Linux wannabe OS funded by erstwhile MP3 honcho Michael Robertson has declared that it is legal in its use of Linux due to 2001 discussions and agreements with SCO's predecessor, Caldera, Inc. But as The Register points out, there are enough weasel words in Robertson's statement to make you wonder if any written agreement actually exists.

The whole sorry episode is beginning to resemble the actions in Europe in 1914 when the assassination of the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary led to all the rest of Europe choosing up sides and starting World War I.

Unfortunately, or perhaps very fortunately from a writer's perspective, the current Unix mess resembles more the phoney war in The Mouse That Roared, Peter Sellers 1959 send-up of war movies in which the tiny duchy of Grand Fenwick declares war on the US in hopes of losing and being given Marshall Plan-like aid. I do believe I could see Sellers playing the role of SCO chief Darl MacBride.

Posted 8:35 AM (0) comments

Machiavelli would be proud

In a curiously worded press release, Novell challenges SCO's position while voicing support for Linux. According to the release, "...the 1995 agreement governing SCO's purchase of UNIX from Novell does not convey to SCO the associated copyrights." This line, from a letter written by Novell CEO Jack Messman to SCO CEO Darl MacBride (former good buddies, I might add) implies that there must have been some really odd language to the agreement. How can you sell all of the assets without also transferring the copyright?

One way would be to focus on the term "transfer". While all rights to the Unix code may have been sold, it could be that Novell simply dragged its feet on executing the required documents for the Library of Congress and the U.S. Patent Office to bring about the change in ownership on their books. This in no way would negate SCO's claim, but would most likely be seen as an act of bad faith by a court.

This may also be a red herring. As SCO was quick to point out, "SCO's lawsuit against IBM does not involve patents or copyrights. SCO's complaint specifically alleges breach of contract..."

In next week's Wired Windows column, I outline the possibility that Novell might be behind the SCO initiative. This mini-flap doesn't change that perspective. In fact, it may give Messman the opening he needs to make a "good faith" offer to re-purchase the assets from SCO...

Posted 8:11 AM (0) comments

Better security?

CNN reports that London City Airport has implemented a new biometric security system. Its nothing special, just one more implementation of an entry-level biometric screening but it will be studied to see if it can be applied to passengers as well as airport staff. Accurate, authenticated identification is the first step towards secure authorization control.