11.24.09
Microsoft Paid Caldera $280,000,000 and Made Incriminating Evidence Go “Poof!”
Summary: Details about the Caldera settlement surface in Microsoft/Novell papers
ONE YEAR ago we wrote about Microsoft turning out the lights on the Caldera case using a secret settlement [1, 2]. Comes vs Microsoft ended with a similar type of settlement, but we do not know how much Microsoft paid. We are fortunate that Grouchy had acquired a copy of all the evidence before it unexpectedly went “poof” as part of the settlement.
Groklaw has just discovered how much Microsoft paid Caldera. Here is the crucial part from an article about Novell vs Microsoft (WordPerfect).
I’m so glad you answered my question with a resounding Yes as to whether you wanted to get all the exhibits attached to Microsoft’s Memorandum of Law [PDF] in support of Microsoft’s cross motion for summary judgment in the Novell v. Microsoft antitrust litigation. We finally find out what Microsoft paid Caldera to settle the DrDOS litigation back in 2000: $280 million. We even get to read the settlement agreement. It’s attached as an exhibit. Can you imagine? I’m so surprised.
The settlement terms were sealed for all these years, but lo and behold, now that mystery is solved. There are many more goodies on the list of exhibits.
We also find out what Caldera/Canopy then paid Novell from that $280 million: $35.5 million at first, and then after Novell successfully sued Canopy in 2004, Caldera’s successor-in-interest on this matter, an additional $17.7 million, according to page 16 of the Memorandum.
No doubt these numbers will come in handy in the future. █
Needs Sunlight said,
November 25, 2009 at 10:18 am
One of the settlements between Caldera and M$ included massive destruction of records as a condition. Now there is Sharepoint and Exchange which do it ‘accidentally’ Back then, it had to be done by hand, even if only giving a command to the computer.
Roy Schestowitz said,
November 25, 2009 at 11:14 am
Have a look at:
http://sco.tuxrocks.com/Docs/DRDOS/fullstory/
It’s far from complete, but it’s a start.
http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20080906220541184
Let’s learn from the fate of the Library of Alexandria.