One uncertainty for UnitedLinux in the near term may be the legal brawl brewing between IBM and SCO Group. The two companies have recently become embroiled in a tussle over Unix licensing. It will be interesting, O'Grady said, to see "how UnitedLinux member SCO resolves its suit with IBM, because regardless of whether or not they attract other enterprise ISVs (independent software vendors) like Oracle, it's critical that IBM continues its relationship with UnitedLinux through members like SuSE." Paula Hunter, general manager of the UnitedLinux partnership, declined to comment on specific actions taking place within the alliance as a result of the SCO suit. "We have a process in place and have been very careful to adhere to the appropriate policies for intellectual property and the GPL regulations," Hunter said, referring to the General Public License that governs Linux. SuSE chief executive Richard Seibt reiterated the company's earlier position that it's "greatly disappointed" with SCO's actions and is re-evaluating its relationship, but declined to detail what that position might mean. "We don't believe it will have an impact on UnitedLinux," he added. Oracle's Dargo said his company doesn't have enough insight into the SCO-IBM suit to comment on its effects.
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