Novell Challenges SCOs Unix Claims

Messman also stressed Novells commitment to Linux, having recently announced an upcoming NetWare version based on the Linux kernel, as well as collaboration and resource management solutions for Linux.

"Put simply, Novell is an ardent supporter of Linux and the open source development community. This support will increase over time," he said.

Bruce Perens, a leading open-source advocate, said on Wednesday that SCOs response to Novell implicitly acknowledged that SCO did not own the Unix copyright.

"SCO claims that their action against IBM is a contract action, not a copyright law action. This might allow SCO to enforce some rights against companies that have already purchased licenses from SCO, but potentially lets the GNU/Linux crowd off the hook.

"Presumably, Novell could license IBM and the Linux developers if any concrete evidence of infringement came up and SCO continued to obstinately push the issue. Not that SCO had shown any evidence to prove its accusations, anyway," he said.

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