On March 7, 2003 The SCO Group filed suit against IBM, claiming it improperly inserted proprietary Unix code in the Linux kernel. The suit has evolved into a full-blown controversy. SCO's lawyers are threatening to make the case a test of the validity of the Free Software Foundation's General Public License (GPL), under which the Linux kernel and the GNU programs that make up the Linux operating system are distributed. Were SCO to prevail, it might hinder development of Linux and make the general public's ability to obtain it difficult. It could also have an adverse effect on other Open Source projects which are developed and distributed in ways that are similar to the Linux model. Since SCO is threatening to charge exorbitant licensing fees for Linux, this would be a serious blow to developing nations particularly. Their fledgling IT industries rely on Linux to a great extent in their efforts to overcome a technological lag which contributes to the cycle of poverty. Though most experts in the Linux, Open Source and Free Software communities believe SCO's claims dubious, their evidence flimsy and their chances for success slim, the case has managed to divert the attention of the entire IT industry. It has many in these communities understandably worried.

As a service to our visitors, Linux Online has devoted a section of our news area to provide more information about the SCO's lawsuit against IBM and other events related to the SCO controversy.

• SCO Timeline
  A summary of the events in the case which we will update as important developments arise.
• SCO Controversy glossary and who's who
  A glossary of sorts to provide our visitors with more information about the terms we use and the people we refer to in our timeline
• News Stories
  Stories about the SCO controversy posted to our news section.
• Commentary
  Op-Ed pieces and interviews related to SCO posted at Linux Online
  • The SCO Ship is Listing
  • Which Founding Father Didn't Like the GPL
  • SCO - Should I buy? Should I sell? Should we call the SEC?
  • SCO: No plan, no clue, no shame SCO - And the hits just keep on comin'!
  • SCO's March of Folly
  • Interview with Pamela Jones, editor of Groklaw
• Related Links
  Links to pages with more information about SCO
  • Groklaw
    Excellent site for in-depth commentary about the SCO case.
  • SCO's Press Releases
    See the propaganda machine in action!
  • Slashdot's stories related to SCO
    The kind of info-tainment only Slashdot can give you
  • Cringely on SCO
    The famous PBS tech pundit gives us his $0.02 on SCO
  • Open Source Development Lab's Position Paper on SCO and Linux
  • OSI (Open Source Inititive) Position Paper on the SCO-vs.-IBM Complaint