As I remember Linux is derived from minux(sp?) which was deliberately
created to be free of the original AT&T proprietary Unix code. The only
risk I perceive is the distros allowing some migration of AT&T into their
systems. If it is a publicity stunt as you say then the solution is to
challange SCO to find it and if any exists remove that part and rewrite
it.
The BSD people who participated in removing the last vestages of the AT&T
to create Free BSD and Open BSD.
Up to V 4.4 it still had proprietary code and 4.5 was the first which was
free of that issue.
CWSIV
On Sat, 17 May 2003 11:42:26 -0400 Jerry Feldman
Hans Forbrich
wrote: Based on the very elementary 'mistakes' being made all over the place, one might get the impression they are deliberately setting up to fail.
I think that they miscalculated. They own the Unix source code, which includes kernel, libraries and tools and utilities. All Unix vendors, even those using OSF have some code from the original AT&T base. I can personally verify that from my work on Digital Unix/Tru64 Unix. IBM contributed the utilities for OSF. I don't know what the licensing issues are in the Unix space. Since Linux contains components from many different sources it would be hard to determine what any single user has in the way of proprietary code. Some distros could have some AT&T code in their kernel and some not. Most of the tools and utilities are probably on the clean side. It's my thought that either SCO is looking for an infusion of cash (eg a settlement or outright purchase of their Unix code, patents and copyrights), or they want to alter the market to improve the market for their Unix products by targeting Linux (or at least the perception that Linux is in some sort of violation). -- ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!