"[Microsoft's] Mr. Emerson and I discussed a variety of investment structures wherein Microsoft would 'backstop,' or guarantee in some way, BayStar's investment.... Microsoft assured me that it would in some way guarantee BayStar's investment in SCO."

--Larry Goldfarb, Baystar, key investor in SCO

Summary: An interesting document from the past speaks about SCO and Microsoft

ONE of our readers sent us this pointer regarding SCO in 2000:

In 1997 Microsoft's competitor Santa Cruz Operation (SCO), a Californian software company specialised in systems for network computing, complained to both DG COMP and the US Justice Department about its contractual relationship with Microsoft invoking restraints of competition due to the agreements and referred to Microsoft dominant position. We discussed the case with the US Justice Department. The Justice Department felt that it would take more time to address these concerns under US Law. They agreed to us moving first. A Statement of Objections was sent and Microsoft waived its rights under the contract clauses to which we objected before a scheduled oral hearing. These changes addressed the competition concerns in both the EEA and the US. The case was closed.

Guess which other company presently has a contract with Microsoft, which sort of prevents it from competing? SCO used to contribute to Linux, just like Novell.

According to this latest update from Groklaw, SCO's days are definitely numbered.

I don't know which of us will be happier when the SCO bankruptcy finally winds down, SCO or me. But faithful to the end, I have the latest bankruptcy documents for you.

SCO Group's MOR for February [PDF] lists a book value for SCO China as of February 28, 2009 at zero. That's on page 7 of the PDF. It was valued at $497,858 as of September 2007, when SCO initially filed for bankruptcy protection. And poof. It's gone. Buh-bye.

Is it not fascinating? It has been over 5 years. The longer it goes on, the better an investment it is for Microsoft. The journanalysts it pays for absolutely love mentioning "SCO!" as a reason to be careful and wary of GNU/Linux. Laura DiDio, for example, did this not so long ago in CIO.com (IDG). ⬆

"...Microsoft wished to promote SCO and its pending lawsuit against IBM and the Linux operating system. But Microsoft did not want to be seen as attacking IBM or Linux."

--Larry Goldfarb, Baystar, key investor in SCO