SCO unveils $699 IP license for Linux systems, $32 for embedded devices
Aug 5, 2003 — by LinuxDevices Staff — from the LinuxDevices Archive — views[Updated Aug. 6, 2003] — In the continuing saga of SCO's claim that Linux contains unlicensed SCO proprietary technology, here is SCO's latest announcement, which, we note, includes a reference to the use of Linux in embedded applications . . .
SCO Provides Commercial Linux Users With Run-Time, Binary License to Run SCO's Intellectual Property in Linux
LINDON, Utah — Aug. 5, 2003 — The SCO Group, Inc., the owner and licensor of the core UNIX(R) operating system source code, today announced the availability of the SCO Intellectual Property License for Linux(R). The run-time license permits the use of SCO's intellectual property, in binary form only, as contained in Linux distributions. By purchasing a SCO Intellectual Property License, customers avoid infringement of SCO's intellectual property rights in Linux 2.4 and Linux 2.5 kernels. Because the SCO license authorizes run-time use only, customers also comply with the General Public License, under which Linux is distributed.
SCO announced in July that it had registered the copyrights to its software releases of UNIX System V and UnixWare(R) with the U.S. Copyright office and that it would offer licenses to cure the SCO IP infringement issues for Linux operating systems. Beginning this week, SCO will start meeting with commercial Linux customers to present the details of this right to use SCO intellectual property binary licensing program.
“We have identified numerous files of unlicensed UNIX System V code and UNIX System V derivative code in the Linux 2.4 and 2.5 kernels,” said Chris Sontag, senior vice president and general manager of SCOsource, the intellectual property licensing division of SCO. “We believe it is necessary for Linux customers to properly license SCO's IP if they are running Linux 2.4 kernel and later versions for commercial purposes. The license insures that customers can continue their use of binary deployments of Linux without violating SCO's intellectual property rights.”
Pricing and Availability
SCO will be offering an introductory license price of $699 for a single CPU system through October 15th, 2003. Pricing for multiple CPU systems, single CPU add-ons, desktop systems and embedded systems will also be available. Linux users who are interested in additional information or purchasing an IP License for Linux should contact their local SCO sales representative or call SCO at 1-800-726-8649 or visit our web site at http://www.sco.com/scosource.
Subsequent to issuing the above announcement, SCO published an “FAQ” which provides further details on its proposed Linux IP license. Among other things, the FAQ clarifies the company's intentions with respect to embedded systems and devices. Embedded system licensing is on a per-device basis, and is currently available at a “promotional” rate of $32 per device, the document says. The full writeup is available here.
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