SCO criticizes Linus

Apparently, the SCO group has now focused its attention on Linus Torvalds. They contend that Linus, who has overseen the development of Linux, appears to have a casual attitude toward intellectual property rights.

As an example, they point to an e-mail message exchange last August on the Linux mailing list. One programmer said there was a patent matter that "we can't just ignore."

Linus replied, "[perkele] Actually, we can, and I will."

I'm not sure where this particular bit of corporate warfare is heading towards, but it does make me feel that current IP laws are grossly inadequate and we seriously need to re-look at them.

IP laws don't seem to consider the fact that it is very rare for an idea to be unique. It's just a question of who is the first one to get a patent on it. There was the famous Turmeric Patent Case which of course is an extreme example but proves a point that Just because an idea is not patented it is unique, and vice versa.

All in all I've never believed in being over protective about stuff I do, because if I can create one unique product or invention I certainly have the capacity to create others, the money I make out of them is completely dependent on how well I market them and not how closely I guard the IP.

It's only people who are unsure about their ability to innovate who go about suing people over IP...

Posted by Navneet at June 19, 2003 01:14 AM | TrackBack | Comments disabled due to spam