SCO's battle with the open source community began in March last
year when it sued IBM, alleging that Big Blue had allowed parts of
SCO's UNIX operating system to 'slip' into the Linux operating
system, in breach of SCO's rights.
Developments over the past year include a counter suit by IBM
against SCO, the filing of a suit against SCO by Linux distributor
Red Hat, and actions between Novell and SCO over who actually owns
the intellectual property rights in the UNIX system.
This week SCO sued two Linux end-users – AutoZone, a
Memphis-based car parts retail giant, and DaimlerChrysler –
alleging that their use of Linux is in breach of SCO's
copyright.
It is well known that Microsoft sees Linux as a threat to its
own Windows operating system, so it has much to gain from the
current saga. Microsoft struck a licensing deal with SCO Group in
May last year, giving the Redmond, Washington-based company the
right to use SCO's patents and source code for the UNIX operating
system.
On Wednesday, open source group The Open Source Initiative
published an e-mail on its web site that purports to come from
within SCO.
The document appears to have been sent by strategic consultant
Mike Anderer to the vice president and general manager of
SCOsource, Chris Sontag, on 12th October. Anderer's company, S2,
has apparently been contracted by SCO in the past.
The e-mail discusses the SCO/Microsoft relationship in general
terms, but crucially goes on to discuss an investment made by
venture capitalists, Baystar Capital, as a "Microsoft referral".
The document later states that "Microsoft will have brough (sic) in
$86m for us including Baystar. The next deal we should be able to
get from $16-20."
Until now it has been thought that the only financing given to
SCO by Microsoft was in terms of the licensing deal. Baystar has,
in addition, always denied being "persuaded" to make its $50
million investment in SCO.
SCO and Microsoft have made no comment as yet.
