Sun Open Sources Solaris: Legal Challenges Ahead

[dduardo]

I don't know what Sun is thinking but they have decided to open source solaris:

http://news.com.com/'Open+Source+Solaris'+to+debut+this+year/2100-7344_3-5364052.html

What I'm wondering is how they are going to get through all the legal issues involving UNIX(tm).

 

[graphic7]

This will finally give x86 Solaris a chance.

I don't know of any possible legal issues that might arise. I don't think Sun claims that Solaris is UNIX. In fact, the Linux kernel has many features that allow AT&T SVR4 binary compability. Linux, unlike BSD's, also has a very System 5ish-like features (init.d and such). You don't see anybody suing (except SCO) the Linux developers (not that a centralized orgainzation to sue exists, anyways). I remember reading somewhere that SGI owned the UNIX trademark for awhile, I imagine OG owns it now.

Open sourcing a real UNIX, shouldn't be an issue. Solaris is just complying with all the standards, POSIX, XPG3, which aren't propiertary. If Solaris does contain some private code, from AT&T for example, they'll have plenty of time to weed it out before they release "Open Source Solaris."

Solaris is starting to look *very* promising (for x86, at least).