The SCO vs. IBM Unix-Linux Debate: a Comment by LynuxWorks CEO, Dr. Inder Singh

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In March, SCO Group Inc., a small Utah software firm, sued IBM for $1 billion, claiming that IBM misappropriated SCO Unix® trade secrets by putting some of the Unix code into Linux®. Instead of settling the case ahead of the 100-day deadline set by SCO, IBM will take the matter to court. Meanwhile, the SCO Group and Novell are embroiled in arguments over who actually owns the copyright for the Unix operating system. Novell says it did not transfer the Unix copyrights or patents to SCO when it sold the operating system to SCO in 1995.

LynuxWorks' stance on the issue

"The industry is still waiting to see proof of SCO's claims," said Dr. Inder Singh, CEO of LynuxWorks and chairman of the Embedded Linux Consortium. "However, this debate is creating some unfortunate and unnecessary "FUD" (fear, uncertainty, doubt) among Linux users. I predict that by the time SCO's claims are put to the legal test Linux programmers around the world will have already generated new open source code to "patch" or bypass the portion currently in question—and in effect, the debate will become a moot point. But regardless of the legal outcomes, Linux will continue to progress unimpeded as a robust, royalty-free software solution. Linux has an infinite horizon and LynuxWorks will be there to support it all the way with our BlueCat Linux product line, as well as our LynxOS family of embedded operating systems which provide full Linux ABI-compatibility."

LynuxWorks customers are safe, regardless of SCO lawsuit outcome

LynuxWorks is the only company to offer customers a complete family of Linux ABI- (application binary interface) compatible embedded operating systems—from its royalty-free BlueCat® Linux to BlueCat RT to its industry-leading LynxOS® real-time operating system (RTOS). This approach enables customers to protect their investment and avoid the high cost-barriers and time-to-market penalties that changing embedded operating systems normally incurs. Applications can be easily moved between those that have been quickly and inexpensively developed with BlueCat Linux and those on the LynxOS real-time platform if and when real-time product requirements emerge—with no costly or lengthy porting process.

In addition, the LynxOS source code was written in a "clean-room" environment. That is, LynuxWorks created it from the ground up. In fact, the code was certified as such by AT&T (the former owner of UNIX), which stated that LynuxWorks can claim full ownership, patents and copyrights for the LynxOS code. Having previously completed this certification for LynxOS, LynuxWorks can apply the same process to its BlueCat code, if necessary.

About LynuxWorks

LynuxWorks is a world leader in the embedded software market, providing operating systems, software development products and consulting services for the world's most successful communications, aerospace/defense, and consumer products companies. Established in 1988, the company is a technology leader in the real-time operating systems (RTOS) industry, and a founding member of the Embedded Linux Consortium (ELC). LynuxWorks' headquarters are located in San José, California.

LynuxWorks is a trademark and LynxOS is a registered trademark of LynuxWorks, Inc. Other brand or product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of the respective holders. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

LynuxWorks press contacts

Kirsten Long Director, Marketing Communications LynuxWorks, Inc. USA +1 408-979-4404	Barbara Stewart Patterson & Associates USA 480-488-6909
Hamid Mirab Managing Director EMEA LynuxWorks Ltd. United Kingdom +44 208-906-9506	Peter van der Sluijs Neesham Public Relations Europe +44 1442-879222