The long-running legal battle over claims that IBM"s version of Linux violates SCO Group"s intellectual property took another twist on Tuesday when IBM sent subpoenas to four other tech players.
Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Sun Microsystems and BayStar Capital must hand over details of their involvement with SCO, according to the subpoenas, which were filed in U.S. District Court in Utah, where the case between IBM and SCO is being heard. IBM, meanwhile, is building its defenses against the charge that it included SCO"s Unix code in its version of Linux.
The subpoenas demand that Microsoft, HP, Sun and BayStar hand over a range of information, including details of their dealings with SCO, by March 7. They will also have to appear in court later in March to give depositions. Groklaw, a legal Web site that had been following the case closely, believes that the subpoenas could help bring important information about the case to light.