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Defending Linux Cynthia L. Webb examines the Utah software firm's struggle to enforce its copyright claims on the Linux open-source operating system.
By Mark Thiessen The Associated Press
Wednesday, March 3, 2004; 2:46 PM
SALT LAKE CITY -- Taking a page from the music industry, SCO Group Inc. sued AutoZone Inc. and DaimlerChrysler Corp. on Wednesday to force them and other companies to respect the software copyrights that SCO claims ought to apply to the Linux and Unix operating systems.
"We have now taken the significant next step," said SCO President Darl McBride, who said his company will "vigorously protect and enforce" its intellectual property.
The copyright infringement lawsuit against AutoZone alleges the auto-parts chain runs versions of the Linux computer operating system that SCO says contains its programming code.
The lawsuit, filed in Nevada, demands AutoZone immediately stop using or copying any part of SCO's copyrighted code. It also seeks unspecified damages.
AutoZone spokesman Ray Pohlman said the company hadn't seen the lawsuit and would not comment. He also refused to say how the company uses Linux.
Lindon, Utah-based SCO also filed a lawsuit in Michigan against DaimlerChrysler, alleging the automaker refused to comply with terms of its Unix software agreement with SCO.
It asks that the automaker immediately certify compliance and seeks damages, including legal fees. DaimlerChrysler said it would respond later Wednesday.
"These are not just two users we randomly picked," McBride said. Instead, he said, they represent two classes of Linux users who are violating either SCO's agreement or copyright.
SCO is attacking the issue along the same lines as the music industry, hit hard financially by people it claims illegally downloaded music off the Internet.
Since September, the Recording Industry Association of America has sued 1,445 people who allegedly downloaded copyrighted songs. The music industry says its tactics are slowing the tide of free downloads.
