In the latest episode of the story that never ends, SCO filed an appeal in the closed case against Novell. Everyone in the Linux and Open Source Communities thought the case was finally brought to a close when the judge declared that Novell is the owner of UNIX copyrights. The judge also ordered the case closed. However, SCO has decided to appeal the ruling and has asked for a reconsideration of all decisions. It's anyone's guess as to how SCO continues to stoke these court fires while in bankruptcy and a rapidly dwindling customer base.
IBM, Novell and others who've been sued by SCO for violating their nonexistent copyright to UNIX have dealt with this travesty for seven years, when SCO originally sued IBM in 2003.
Still in a state of denial on the court's ruling, SCO sports the following on their Company Profile page:
The SCO Group (Pink Sheets: SCOXQ) is a leading provider of software technology for distributed, embedded, network-based systems, offering SCO OpenServer for small- to medium-sized businesses and UnixWare for enterprise solutions.
SCO's highly innovative and reliable solutions help millions of customers grow their businesses everyday, from SCO OpenServer on Main Street to UnixWare on Wall Street.
SCO owns all rights and ownership of the core UNIX operating system source code originally developed by AT&T/Bell Labs. SCO’s ownership includes system source code, including all versions and copies, SCO OpenServer, and certain copyrights and source code to UnixWare. SCO is the exclusive licensor to UNIX-based system software providers.
Headquartered in Lindon, Utah, SCO has a worldwide network of thousands of resellers and developers. SCO Global Services provides reliable localized support and services to partners and customers.
To the first major point from SCO's company profile.
From the Investopedia on Pink Sheets:
A stock that doesn't trade on a major exchange is said to trade over the counter (OTC). This means that the stock is dealt between individuals connected by telephone and computer networks.
Companies will typically be listed on the OTCBB for one of two reasons:
(1) The company has been delisted from a major exchange. When a company is facing tough times and is unable to meet the requirements for continued listing on the Nasdaq or NYSE, it will be delisted. This usually happens to companies that are under financial strain and near bankruptcy. Even when listed on the OTCBB, companies are still required to maintain SEC filings and minimum requirements set by the OTCBB; however, these requirements are considerably easier to meet than those set by the national exchanges. If a company undergoes bankruptcy proceedings or misses certain SEC filings, an additional letter will be added to the company's ticker symbol to notify investors of this problem.
(2) The company may be listed on the OTCBB because it is unable to meet the initial listing requirements of the Nasdaq or NYSE. In such a case, a company may choose to test the waters of the OTCBB, using it as a stepping stone before leaping into the larger exchanges and markets.
The Pink Sheets are different from the OTCBB. Companies on the Pink Sheets are not required to meet minimum requirements or file with the SEC. So-named because they were actually printed on pink paper, the Pink Sheets started out as a daily quote service provided by the National Quotation Bureau. Typically, companies are on the Pink Sheets because either they are too small to be listed on a national exchange or they do not wish to make their budgets and accounting statements public. To avoid having to file with the SEC, some large foreign companies such as Nestle S.A. have penetrated the American securities markets through the Pink Sheets. Companies listed on the Pink Sheets are difficult to analyze because it is tough to obtain accurate information about them. The companies on the Pink Sheets are usually penny stocks and are often targets of price manipulation. They should only be purchased with extreme caution.
And, to the second major point on the profile page:
Novell owns the UNIX copyright. The judge in the case SCO v Novell ruled it so. Groklaw's Pamela Jones comments on the ruling.
But, SCO's appeal takes this case in a whole new direction (seriously). The new direction is that the owners of SCO obviously want Novell to purchase its lifeless hull and drag it back to Massachusetts for scuttling.
Note to Novell: Don't do it.
Currently, SCO's stock stands at 7 cents (US) per share. A real bargain, if you have some money to throw away. Frankly, at the price of printing the stock certificates, SCO should buy their own stock and offer their stock certificates for $1 each. It would make them some money and be funny at the same time.
Thanks SCO for providing ongoing entertainment and news fluff for the past seven years. We in the media appreciate it. At first, we (Linux Community) were angry with you. Then, we were shocked at your audacity. Finally, we're entertained by your "It ain't over even when it's over" attitude. Never say die even when you're dead and rotten.
What do you think is next for SCO?