Open source:
Linux under
attack
The SCO Group launched a lawsuit against IBM in 2003 that ballooned into a frontal assault on Linux and its legal foundations.
Rumblings about the suit began in January, when struggling and unprofitable SCO started describing its SCOsource plan to derive money from its Unix intellectual property and the announcement that it hired high-profile attorney David Boies. But it wasn't until March that the company stunned the industry with a lawsuit against the Linux proponent with the loudest voice and the deepest pockets: IBM.The suit began with the accusation that IBM violated its contract with SCO and misappropriated trade secrets by moving Unix software to the Linux operating system. In an amendment, SCO increased the damages it sought from $1 billion to more than $3 billion. By October, the case had expanded into an all-out assault on the General Public License, which governs Linux.
In August, Linux allies fought back. Red Hat filed its own suit against SCO, seeking to put the matter to rest, while IBM filed a countersuit that included four charges of patent infringement.
Meanwhile, SCO also put Linux users in its crosshairs. It sent letters to 1,500 of the world's largest corporations in May, raising the specter of legal liability for using Linux, and in August, it announced expected payments of $1,399 from all companies using Linux on a dual-processor server. In November, it said it would sue large companies using Linux--and for the first time include copyright infringement as its rationale for taking legal action.
Other changes also swept the Linux landscape. In March, leading Linux seller Red Hat adjusted its aggressive strategy to profit from Linux, introducing lower-priced products, after recognizing that some customers refused to pay full price for its high-end software.
Munich, Germany's third-largest city, announced that it would move 14,000 desktop computers from Windows to Linux. Linux founder and leader Linus Torvalds moved from chipmaker Transmeta to the Open Source Development Labs in June to focus full-time on Linux.
And in one of the biggest changes, Novell announced an IBM-assisted plan in November to acquire SuSE Linux for $210 million, providing the No. 2 seller of Linux with more cash and a stronger U.S. position. Looking toward the future, IBM indicated in November that it's getting enthused about the prospect of pushing Linux on desktop computers as well as servers.
-- Stephen Shankland
Despite lawsuits and controversy, the open-source bandwagon heads into 2004 with a full head of steam.
SCO casts wider net for infringers
The SCO Group has hired high-profile attorney David Boies to see whether Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and versions of BSD infringe on Unix intellectual property the company owns.Jan. 27, 2003
IBM: Linux is the 'logical successor'
The day is approaching when Linux will likely replace IBM's version of Unix, the company's top software executive says.Jan. 29, 2003
SCO sues Big Blue over Unix, Linux
The SCO Group, inheritor of the intellectual property for the Unix operating system, sues IBM for more than $1 billion, alleging that Big Blue misappropriated SCO's Unix technology and built it into Linux.March 6, 2003
Red Hat revamps premium Linux plan
Linux seller Red Hat discusses a new phase in its plan to profit from a premium product, a new lower-priced version and a new brand name.March 11, 2003
SCO: Unix code copied into Linux
SCO Group Chief Executive Darl McBride asserts that lines from Unix's source code have been copied into the heart of Linux, sometimes exactly and sometimes in a modified form, designed to disguise their origin.May 1, 2003
SCO targets Linux customers
The SCO Group expands its attack outside the courts, sending letters to 1,500 of the world's largest corporations, warning them that they could be liable for using Linux.May 14, 2003
Microsoft to license Unix code
Microsoft says it will license the rights to Unix technology from the SCO Group, fueling speculation--denied by both companies--that the larger Linux foe is behind the SCO suit.May 18, 2003
Munich breaks with Windows for Linux
The local government in Munich, Germany, votes to move 14,000 computers from Microsoft's Windows to Linux, despite efforts by the software giant to hang onto the multimillion-dollar contract.May 28, 2003
Ballmer memo targets Linux
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer identifies Linux and open-source software as key competitive challenges to the company in a memo to all employees.June 4, 2003
SCO says clause bolsters Linux claim
The SCO Group unearths a 1996 document that derails a Novell assertion that it still owns the copyrights to Unix.June 5, 2003
Torvalds: What, me worry?
Linus Torvalds, founder and leader of the Linux programming project, is unruffled by the SCO Group's actions.July 8, 2003
SCO takes aim at Linux users
SCO announces that it will start a program to let companies that run Linux avoid litigation by paying licensing fees.July 21, 2003
Red Hat files suit against SCO
Leading Linux seller Red Hat escalates the legal war over Linux, filing a lawsuit against the SCO Group that seeks a declaratory judgment that Red Hat has not violated SCO's copyrights or trade secrets.Aug. 4, 2003
Big Blue files counterclaims against SCO
IBM files counterclaims against the SCO Group, arguing that SCO violated four IBM patents and that SCO's position is invalid, because it formerly sold Linux.Aug. 7, 2003
SCO attacks open-source foundation
In its lawsuit against IBM, the SCO Group begins a direct challenge to the General Public License--the legal foundation for Linux and numerous other open-source programming projects.Oct. 28, 2003
Novell to acquire SuSE Linux
Longtime Microsoft foe Novell signs an agreement to acquire SuSE Linux for $210 million in cash, while IBM boosted the deal with a promise of a $50 million investment in Novell, when the deal closes.Nov. 4, 2003
Linux powers get behind desktop version
Red Hat, IBM and the Open Source Development Labs are each beginning serious work to advance Linux for use on desktop computers.Nov. 11, 2003
Linux gets heart transplant with 2.6.0 kernel
Top programmers Linus Torvalds and Andrew Morton release the first major update in two years to the core of Linux.Dec. 17, 2003
Schism hits key open-source group
Linux lab gets new CEO, new direction
Net attack crushes SCO Web site
SCO suit now seeks $3 billion from IBM
Linux lab lands Torvalds
Torvalds test-drives new Linux core
SCO gets $50 million investment
Linux community scoffs at SCO's evidence
SCO plans more Linux lawsuits
