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SCO's Redacted Memo in Support of Renewed Motion to Compel Discovery - as text
Saturday, August 06 2005 @ 03:00 PM EDT

Here's Plaintiff's Memorandum in Support of Renewed Motion to Compel Discovery, refiled by SCO in redacted form, as text. It was originally filed in December of 2004. Our thanks go to Steve Martin for the transcript.

SCO's hyperbole is a bit much. It's their style of lawyering, but I never get used to it, and it makes my blood boil every time. For example, this is a dispute about what IBM has to turn over in discovery. IBM has asserted certain objections, which you are allowed to do in discovery. Let me give you an illustration: If the other side asks to see all your letters and emails and phone records to everyone you've ever known or written to since the day you were born, you get to say that they should try to pinpoint more precisely what it is they are looking for, because they're asking you to do a lot of work that can be avoided if they narrow down the field to parameters that make the work load less burdensome. Discovery is not supposed to be a punishment in and of itself, although it's always somewhat annoying.

Now, SCO knows the rules of discovery. Yet they persistently and inaccurately, in my opinion, describe IBM's objections as "improper" instead of just saying they disagree with IBM, portraying IBM's objections as if IBM were doing something wrong to object to what it views as overly broad discovery requests. They paint IBM as some kind of sneaky criminal instead of just trying to get SCO to narrow their request. But compare what they say they have a right to have from IBM with what they actually ask the judge to give them in the last paragraph. See how little they end up asking for? In short, IBM objected and SCO then narrowed. That is what happened. There is nothing improper here, unless you find SCO's over-the-top language improper, which I do. They paint IBM as shucking and jiving to avoid their discovery obligations, whereas what really happened is SCO asked for too much. I can only assume that it's written for the peanut gallery, not the judge. Or maybe they figure if they keep throwing mud, some of it will stick, deserved or not.

Now, I'm not privy to what IBM does or doesn't have in its files. And IBM does have discovery obligations. But there is no way for me to judge where the right line is. That is the judge's job. What I do see, though, and we've seen it from the beginning, is this underlying theme: that SCO appears to be trying to force IBM to settle by being as unflattering in public as they can and as annoying as they know how to be. It's litigation as FUD and as a tactical, competitive weapon, and it's a misuse of the courts, as far as I'm concerned. I'm sure they don't care one bit what I think. But that is what I think.

To illustrate SCO's level of argumentation, here's a snip:

In disregard of SCO's long-standing document requests, this Court's March 2004 Order, and now this Court's October 2004 Order requiring IBM's executives and Board of Directors to provide sworn affidavits on the issue, IBM has failed to produce documents regarding its "Linux strategy" — which is at the heart of this case — or to explain the glaring absence of such documents in its production.
That sounds bad, doesn't it? But if you know what happened, what happened was that IBM was asked for documents, IBM registered its objections and then turned over what they they felt they were supposed to turn over, SCO said it seemed impossible there could be so few documents, and then the judge asked IBM for affidavits saying that was all there was, and IBM provided them. Nobody turns over everything they are asked for in discovery. I've never seen that happen, anyway. Why? Because the plaintiff always asks for more that they think they should get, hoping to get lucky. Only a stupid lawyer for the defendant would comply with an overbroad request. But "overbroad" is a value judgment, so then it goes to the judge. But this is all perfectly normal.

SCO's underlying argument goes like this: they won't or can't say what exactly they are looking for, so they want IBM to spend millions of dollars collecting and turning over massive discovery, just so SCO can try to see if maybe there might be something there. IBM is basically forcing them to be more specific. That is what this is all about, and SCO portraying it as IBM "stalling" is just silly. IBM is asking SCO to narrow its scope, and in the end SCO did.

This document has a different pagination scheme than we are used to. I don't know why, but the first 8 pages are Roman numerals, and then it starts the Argument section as page 1. It could mean that two different lawyers worked on this, one doing the Argument section, and another the rest, and nobody noticed when they merged that the page numbering was off. I put page breaks in numbering them as per the PDF, beginning with 1. Just so you know.

*************************

Brent O. Hatch (5715)
Mark F. James (5295)
HATCH, JAMES & DODGE
[address]
[phone]
[fax]

Stuart H. Singer (admitted pro hac vice)
BOIES, SCHILLER & FLEXNER LLP
[address]
[phone]
[fax]

Robert Silver (admitted pro hac vice)
Edward Normand (admitted pro hac vice)
Sean Eskovitz (admitted pro hac vice)
BOIES, SCHILLER & FLEXNER LLP
[address]
[phone]
[fax]

Stephen N. Zack (admitted pro hac vice)
BOIES, SCHILLER & FLEXNER LLP
[address]
[phone]
[fax]

Attorneys for The SCO Group, Inc.

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF UTAH

THE SCO GROUP, INC.

Plaintiff/Counterclaim Defendant,

v.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
MACHINES CORPORATION

Defendant/Counterclaim Plaintiff.

PLAINTIFF'S MEMORANDUM IN
SUPPORT OF RENEWED MOTION
TO COMPEL DISCOVERY
[Docket No. 365]

(REFILED IN REDACTED FORM)

Case No. 2:03CV0294DAK
Honorable Dale A. Kimball
Magistrate Judge Brooke C. Wells

1

The SCO Group, Inc. ("SCO") respectfully submits this Memorandum in Support of its Renewed Motion to Compel Discovery regarding the files of IBM's executive management and SCO's Motion to Compel Discovery regarding its Rule 30(b)(6) depositions if IBM.

SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT

In disregard of SCO's long-standing document requests, this Court's March 2004 Order, and now this Court's October 2004 Order requiring IBM's executives and Board of Directors to provide sworn affidavits on the issue, IBM has failed to produce documents regarding its "Linux strategy" —- which is at the heart of this case —- or to explain the glaring absence of such documents in its production. Neither SCO's document requests nor this Court's Orders leave any ambiguity regarding the broad scope of the Linux-related documents that IBM must produce. Nevertheless, IBM has apparently adopted, unilaterally, an unduly narrow interpretation of its obligations. Moreover, the cursory affidavits that IBM has supplied in response to the Court's most recent Order raise more questions about IBM's discovery practices than they answer.

In addition, IBM has improperly refused to produce Rule 30(b)(6) witnesses on several appropriate topics. For example, IBM refuses to provide any witnesses to testify about the nature and extent of IBM's contributions to Linux -— a core issue in this case. IBM's intransigence thus compounds its withholding of documents and proper interrogatory responses to SCO's prior discovery requests that seek similar, critically relevant information.

IBM has unilaterally blocked SCO from obtaining even the most rudimentary information that it needs to develop its proof for trial. In light of IBM's longstanding delay on this critical discovery —- and in light of the currently scheduled, impending close of fact discovery (on February 11, 2005) — the Court should order IBM to produce immediately (1) all documents from its

2

executives and Board of Directors that mention or relate in any way to Linux and (2) witnesses who can speak to the full scope of the topics SCO has noticed.

BACKGROUND

SCO's Document Requests. On June 24, 2003, SCO served on IBM document requests requiring the production of all documents "concerning any contributions to Linux or to open source made by IBM and/or Sequent," and all documents "concerning IBM's contributions to development of the 2.4 and 2.5 Linux Kernel." Exh. A at 10, 11. SCO's December 4, 2003 requests further requested that IBM produce:

"53. All documents concerning IBM's decision to adopt, embrace or otherwise promote Linux, including but not limited to the following:
a. all such documents in the possession of Sam Palmisano, Irving Wladawsky-Berger, Paul Home and Nick Bowen;

* * *

c. all presentations made to IBM's top management including its Board of Directors concerning such decision;

d. all documents from all Board of Directors' meetings relating to such decision, including Board notebooks, Board minutes and notes from all persons in attendance at such meetings.

* * *

56. All business plans for Linux." Exh. B at 4-5.(1)

As SCO documented in its prior memoranda (of July 6 and August 26) in support of its Renewed Motion to Compel, IBM has publicly adopted a strategy to invest billions of dollars in Linux. SCO has shown that:

3

  • Mr. Palmisano was the Senior Vice President in charge of IBM's server business, is now IBM's CEO and Chairman of the Board, and is the IBM executive responsible for spearheading IBM's strategy to shift towards Linux as its operating system of choice;

  • Mr. Wladawsky-Berger is IBM's' "Linux czar," and has sent e-mails to top technology executives regarding this rise of Linux; and

  • IBM's Board has overseen a strategy pursuant to which IBM has increased its Linux-based revenues to more than $2 billion in 2003, after doubling that number from 2001 to 2002 and again from 2002 to 2003.
Notwithstanding the breadth of SCO's discovery requests and the critical importance of IBM's Linux efforts to this case and to IBM's business, IBM has produced very little in the way of responsive documents from IBM's above-mentioned executives or Board of Directors.

The Court's March 2004 Order and IBM's Response. After SCO first raised the issue with the Court, on March 3, 2004, the Court ordered as follows:

"IBM is to provide documents and materials generated by, and in possession of employees that have been and that are currently involved in the Linux project. IBM is to include materials and documents from executives including inter alia, Sam Palmisano and Irving Wladawsky-Berger. Such materials and documents are to include any reports, materials or documents from IBM's 'ambitious Linux strategy.'" 3/3/04 Order at 4-5.(2)

IBM provided a sworn affidavit detailing its efforts in complying with the order, and a statement that its answers and materials provided are given to the best of its knowledge and are complete, detailed and thorough. Exh. D.

4

IBM subsequently produced 1,000 pages of documents from Mr. Palmisano's files (none of which was generated by him), no documents at all from Mr. Wladawsky-Berger's files, no documents from any individual Board members, and only a single presentation from the files of IBM's Board of Directors. The deficiencies in IBM's production were obvious:

  • -- no e-mails or other correspondence discussing Linux that was written, sent, or received by Mr. Palmisano;

  • -- no e-mails, letters, notes, diary or calendar entries, memos, or other documents about Linux from the files of Mr. Wladawsky-Berger; and

  • -- no Board minutes, notes, memoranda, e-mails, or other correspondence discussing Linux that were written, sent, or received by any member of IBM's Board.

Although SCO attempted to resolve these shortcomings with IBM, IBM insisted that it had produced all of the responsive documents in its possession.

The Court's Order on SCO's Renewed Motion to Compel. In light of such shortcomings in IBM's discovery, SCO filed a Renewed Motion to Compel on July 6, 2004. In its opposition brief, IBM claimed: "IBM has collected and produced the non-privileged, responsive documents that were found in the files of its senior executives and its Board of Directors" and has not "improperly 'filtered' and excluded responsive documents." Exh. E at 10. IBM thus asked SCO and the Court to believe that IBM had put into place a multi-billion dollar worldwide Linux business plan, but that neither its Chief Executive Officer, nor its "Linux czar," nor its Board of Directors retained any significant documentation concerning that plan.

SCO's Renewed Motion to Compel (and SCO's other discovery application) was heard by the Court on October 19, 2004.

REDACTED

TO COMPLY WITH

COURT'S ORDER

5

REDACTED

TO COMPLY WITH

COURT'S ORDER

The Court's subsequent written Order directed IBM to provide affidavits from "the Board of Directors, Mr. Palmisano, and Mr. Wladawsky-Berger regarding production of all non-privileged documents pertaining to IBM's Linux strategy." 10/20/04 Order at 1.(3)

IBM's Responses to the Court's October 2004 Order. On November 19, 2004, IBM produced four short affidavits in response to the Court's October Order. In addition to their various other deficiencies, detailed below, none of IBM's declarations even remotely attempts to explain the absence of responsive Linux documents in IBM's production.

1. Declaration of Samuel J. Palmisano (Exh. G). Mr. Palmisano states that he gave IBM's attorneys access to his files, and that the attorneys searched his files in February 2004. Mr. Palmisano does not suggest that he assisted in any way or that all of his responsive documents have been produced. Nor does he suggest that either following the February search or the October 19 hearing, he or any IBM attorney "looked again" for responsive documents.

2. Declaration of Irving Wladawsky-Berger (Exh. H). In contrast to Mr. Palmisano, Mr. Wladawsky-Berger indicates that he (and his counsel) did look for additional responsive documents following the October hearing. Exh. H at 3. As a result of that further review, and notwithstanding IBM's repeated assertions to SCO, and assertions and certification to the Court, that all responsive documents had been produced, Mr. Wladawsky-Berger declares that he found "two folders" of

6

additional documents on his computer that "may have been overlooked." Id. at 3.(4) He further reveals that even though he and his administrative assistant searched for and found documents that they believed might be responsive to SCO's requests in 2003, IBM did not produce any of those documents because the attorneys concluded that none of them were "responsive to any of SCO's document requests." Id. at 2. Mr. Wladawsky-Berger does not represent that all of his responsive documents have been produced.

3. Declaration of Andrew Bonzani (Exh. I). In response to the Court's Order for an "affidavit from the Board of Directors," IBM has submitted a single declaration Mr. Bonzani, the Assistant Secretary to the Board, who declares that he searched the Board's files in March 2004 and turned over to IBM's outside counsel the documents he believed to be responsive. Mr. Bonzani does not state how many of the documents he turned over were ultimately withheld from SCO as "unresponsive". He does not represent that all responsive documents (even under his "belief" of what documents are responsive) have been produced from the files of the Board of Directors. Nor does he represent that he has made any effort to obtain documents from the individual members of IBM's Board.

4. Declaration of Alec S. Berman (Exh. J). Alec Berman, an IBM in-house attorney, states that he participated in the February 2004 search of Mr. Palmisano's office. He does not suggest that Mr. Palmisano assisted in the review in any way. He does not suggest that he, Mr. Palmisano, or anyone else "looked again" at Mr. Palmisano's files after February 2004 or after the October 19 hearing. Mr. Berman declares that he turned over all potentially responsive documents to IBM's outside counsel, and swears to his "understanding" that more than 1,000 pages from Mr.

7

Palmisano's files were produced, but he does not indicate how many pages or documents IBM withheld from SCO as "unresponsive."

SCO's Rule 30(b)(6) Notices and IBM's Response. On November 30 and December 2, 2004, SCO served on IBM Notices of 30(b)(6) Deposition listing, respectively, ten and seven topics for deposition. Exhs. K & L. SCO noticed the depositions for, respectively, December 15 and 16. On December 10, IBM responded and objected. Exh. M. As to the November 30 Notice, IBM refused to produce a witness for topics 1, 2, and 3, and unilaterally narrowed the scope of topics 4-10. Id. at 1-2. As to the December 2 Notice, IBM refused to produce a witness for topics 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7, and unilaterally narrowed the scope of topics 5 and 6. Id. at 3-4. IBM represented that the witnesses it would produce were not available to be deposed on December 15 or 16. Id. at 4. On December 13, SCO agreed to postpone the depositions in light of IBM undertaking to obtain deposition dates in early January 2005 for those witnesses that IBM has agreed to produce. Exh. N.

8

ARGUMENT

1. IBM HAS FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE COURT'S MARCH 2004 AND OCTOBER 2004 ORDERS

IBM's now repeated representations regarding the documents SCO seeks are less credible than ever. SCO has repeatedly shown that, given the broad scope and central importance of IBM's Linux strategy, it is simply not conceivable that the individuals at the center of IBM's decision to adopt and embrace that strategy have in their custody and control almost no documents responsive to SCO's requests and the Court's March 3 Order.

In addition, having previously, and repeatedly, represented to SCO and the Court that it had looked for and produced all relevant documents in response to the Court's March Order, IBM has now produced two additional folders of documents from Mr. Wladawsky-Berger's files. At the same time, (1) IBM's three other declarants make no representation of

REDACTED
TO COMPLY WITH
COURT'S ORDER

(ii) none of IBM's declarants represent that all responsive documents have been produced, and (iii) none of IBM's declarants made any effort even to try to explain the absence of responsive documents regarding such a major and evolving aspect of IBM's business. Moreover, Mr. Wladawsky-Berger's declaration indicates that IBM did not produce any of the documents (in hard copy or electronic form) that he had identified as responsive in August 2003, after IBM's attorneys discussed with him "in detail each of the categories of documents sought by SCO through its document requests;" Mr Bonzani's declaration reflects that he did not even attempt to obtain documents from the individual members of IBM's Board; and Mr. Palmisano's declaration indicates that he has not done anything to ensure the completeness of his document production.

9

REDACTED
TO COMPLY WITH
COURT'S ORDER

But none of IBM's declarants testified that they do not use e-mail, and none has provided any explanation of why his files are so bare of e-mails and all other forms of responsive documents. Indeed, as noted above, The New York Times has specifically reported that Mr. Wladawsky-Berger sent e-mails to top technology executives regarding the rise of Linux -— but even those e-mails have not been produced.

The only plausible explanation for IBM's discovery shortcomings is that IBM has adopted an unduly restrictive interpretation of the scope of its obligation to produce responsive documents. In its Memorandum in Opposition to SCO's Renewed Motion to Compel, filed five months after this Court's March 2004 Order, IBM stated:

"There is no basis for the Court to compel IBM to produce every document in the possession of Mr. Palmisano, Mr. Wladawsky-Berger and IBM's Board of Directors (such as those that simply contain the word 'Linux' in them), without regard to the relevance of those documents to the issues in this lawsuit or whether they are privileged. SCO's request is overbroad on its face. SCO has served document requests seeking materials that at least SCO has identified as being relevant (often incorrectly, we believe) to its lawsuit against IBM. IBM searched the files of Mr. Palmisano, Mr. Wladawsky-Berger and the Board of Directors and produced whatever non-privileged, responsive documents exist in those files. IBM should not be made to produce documents that SCO has not even asked for in any of its document requests, and which bear no relevance to the issues in this case." IBM Mem. in Opp. to SCO's Renewed Motion to Compel at 12 (Exh. E).

Any argument that IBM continues to advance concerning the scope of its document production obligations is meritless. It is difficult to imagine any valid basis on which IBM can be withholding Linux-related documents as non-responsive given the breadth of SCO's requests for:

10

  • -- All documents "concerning any contributions to Linux or to open source made by IBM and/or Sequent," including "development of the 2.4 and 2.5 Linux Kernel";

  • -- All documents "concerning IBM's decision to adopt, embrace or otherwise promote Linux"; and

  • -- "All business plans for Linux."
Thus, as the term "concerning" is defined in SCO's requests, IBM was expressly required to produce all documents "relating to, referring to, reflecting, describing, evidence, referencing, discussing or constituting" IBM's Linux activities.

Even more importantly, however, IBM's continued assertions concerning the scope of SCO's requests and supposedly unresolved issues of "relevance" disregards, again, this Court's prior orders. The Court's March 3 Order is unambiguous:

"IBM is to provide documents and materials generated by, and in possession of employees that have been and that are currently involved in the Linux project. IBM is to include materials and documents from executives including inter alia, Sam Palmisano and Irving Wladawsky-Berger. Such materials and documents are to include any reports, materials or documents from IBM's 'ambitious Linux Strategy.'" 3/3/04 Order at 4-5.

Moreover, the Court's October 2004 Order unambiguously regards SCO's document requests and March 2004 Order as encompassing "all non-privileged documents pertaining to IBM's Linux strategy." 10/20/04 Order at 1. Of course, the Court's prior orders preclude IBM even from raising its continued "relevance" objections or from continuing to withhold obviously responsive, and centrally important, Linux-related documents.

IBM's assertions and discovery conduct thus indicate that IBM has taken a constricted view of its discovery obligations -- a view in which IBM has, once again, unilaterally determined its discovery obligations without regard for the Court's prior orders. IBM's unduly narrow interpretation of SCO's document requests, and its utter disregard for the Court's March 2004

11

Order, is plainly improper. A party may not properly adhere to a narrow interpretation of a discovery request when that party is aware that the requesting party has intended a broader interpretation, even if the written request is "not as broad or, perhaps, as clear as it might have been." Satcorp Int'l Group v. China Nat'l Import & Export Corp., 917 F. Supp. 271, 274-76 (S.D.N.Y. 1996), vacated in part on other grounds, 101 F.3d 3 (2d Cir. 1996). In Satcorp, the defendant's statement that no responsive documents existed defied "common sense" and "boggle[d] the mind"; the court concluded that counsel "was relying on some narrow, unstated interpretation of the written request to avoid production despite his knowledge that plaintiffs' counsel took a broader view of the request." Id. at 273, 276. The court sanctioned counsel. See id. at 278.

In light of IBM's continued delay, discovery stonewalling, and disregard of prior Court orders, SCO respectfully requests that the Court specifically order IBM to produce all documents in its possession, custody, or control that refer to or mention "Linux". IBM's intransigence and lack of candor suggest the existence of what IBM views as damaging documents. The Court should compel IBM to produce the Linux-related documents under a clear, objective standard that leaves no room for creative legal interpretation. If any of the files at issue contains a non-privileged document that refer to or mention Linux, SCO should be allowed to see it.

II. IBM IMPROPERLY REFUSES TO PRODUCE RULE 30(b)(6) WITNESSES ON SEVERAL TOPICS AND IMPROPERLY SEEKS TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF OTHER RULE 30(b)(6) TOPICS

In response to valid Rule 30(b)(6) notices, IBM has improperly refused to produce any witness to testify on numerous subjects of central relevance to this case. With respect to SCO's Rule 30(b)(6) notice dated November 30, 2004, IBM has improperly refused to produce any witness to testify to the following topics:

12

"1. The extent to and manner in which UNIX Software Products were used, directly or indirectly, in the creation, derivation or modification of any source code that IBM contributed to Linux, including but not limited to the following:
a. The date and nature of IBM's contributions of source code from AIX or Dynix, whether copied in a literal or non-literal manner, to Linux;

b. IBM's and Sequent's use of structures, sequences, organization, ideas, methods or concepts contained within any UNIX Software Product in developing source code that IBM contributed to Linux; and

c. The identity of the programmers who were exposed to any UNIX Software Product.

2. Identification of and role of IBM employees or contractors involved in the work responsive to Topic 1 above.

3. Identification of the steps taken by corporate representative witness to be able to respond fully and accurately to Topics 1 and 2 above, including but not limited to documents reviewed, employees consulted, and databases consulted." Exh. K.

IBM objects to each topic "on the grounds that it is vague, ambiguous, overbroad and unduly burdensome." IBM further objects to these topics on the grounds that they seek information "more appropriately sought" through other discovery methods. Exh. M at 1.

IBM's objections to these topics are meritless. Either IBM is capable of identifying the code that it contributed to Linux and the nature and manner of these contributions or it is not. Either way, this evidence is directly relevant because IBM's reliance on UNIX-derived AIX and Dynix in developing Linux is at the very heart of SCO's breach-of-contract claims. IBM's objections to SCO's 30(b)(6) topics are particularly untenable in light of IBM's long-standing refusal to produce adequate responses to SCO interrogatories and document requests that attempt to discover the programming history of IBM's Linux contributions. Indeed, IBM has ignored this Court's prior March 3 Order requiring it to supplement its interrogatory responses on this topic, leaving SCO with a list of more than 7,000 programmer names and no contribution information for any of those

13

programmers. Moreover, IBM continues to withhold the document discovery that would permit SCO to investigate for itself the AIX and Dynix origins of IBM's Linux contributions. IBM's discovery responses have thus reduced to the indefensible claim that IBM is not obligated to provide any information concerning the nature of IBM's contributions to Linux or any practical way for SCO to identify the relevant witnesses on that central issue in the case.

IBM has also improperly refused to produce any witness on the following topics contained in SCO's amended Rule 30(b)(6) notice of December 2:

"1. The negotiation and execution of all license agreements between IBM and AT&T regarding any UNIX Software Product, and any and all amendments or modifications thereto.

3. Consideration and discussion concerning UNIX licensing rights, limitations, and potential liabilities, in connection with IBM's acquisition of Sequent.

4. All communications with Novell, Inc. ('Novell') relating to SCO and/or any of its predecessor entities, including, but not limited to, communications relating to the Asset Purchase Agreement between Novell and the Santa Cruz Operation, Inc., and any amendments thereto.

* * *

7. Identification of all individual(s) (by name, position, particular responsibility, and current location) who were principally responsible for (1) the programming development of AIX and Dynix (including Dynix/ptx); and (2) the programming development of Linux using, in any manner whatsoever, materials from these programs. This request includes, without limitation, identification of all relevant chief technology officers, chief software architects, and chief software engineers." Exh. L.

IBM objections to these topics include IBM's contention that the topic "is vague, ambiguous, overbroad and unduly burdensome," "seeks information that is irrelevant and not reasonably calculated to lead to admissible evidence," "seeks discovery more appropriately sought by other means," and "seeks information duplicative and cumulative of testimony that has been, or will be, provided to SCO." Exh. M at 3-4.

14

IBM's objections to the foregoing topics are improper. With respect to the particular objections that IBM makes on each topic, for example:

  • -- On Topic 1, SCO is entitled to discover through an IBM corporate representative, for example, who was responsible for the negotiation and execution of the license agreements at issue in this case and the respective roles of the individuals involved.

  • -- On Topic 3, SCO is entitled to discover through an IBM corporate representative, for example, any non-privileged consideration that IBM and/or Sequent gave to the UNIX license rights, restrictions, and potential liabilities in connection with IBM's acquisition of Sequent.

  • -- On Topic 4, SCO is entitled to discover through an IBM corporate representative, for example, the full extent of IBM's communications with Novell relating to SCO. This information is particularly important in this case given (1) the central issues in this case concerning the purchase agreement whereby SCO's predecessor acquired Novell's UNIX assets and business; and (2) IBM and Novell's close business relationship concerning the distribution and exploitation of Linux.

  • -- On Topic 7, SCO is entitled to discover through an IBM corporate representative, for example, the individuals who were principally responsible for developing AIX and Dynix (the derivative products from which IBM made numerous contributions to Linux) as well as Linux.

IBM's objection that Topic 7 "seeks information that is duplicative and cumulative of information already provided by IBM in response to SCO's discovery requests" is particularly baseless. Exh. M at 4. As explained above (as well as in SCO's pending discovery applications), SCO has long sought to obtain from IBM information regarding the programming history of AIX, Dynix, and Linux, but IBM has improperly withheld that information for over a year. IBM's improper withholding of such discovery cannot excuse IBM's refusal to provide a corporate representative on this critically relevant topic. IBM's improper objection to SCO's Rule 30(b)(6) notice lays bare IBM's indefensible view of discovery in this action and of the federal rules governing discovery —- namely, that SCO is not entitled to any information from which SCO can identify the chief architects of the software products at the heart of this case.

15

CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH MEET AND CONFER OBLIGATIONS

SCO through its counsel hereby certifies that it has made a good faith effort to resolve the discovery disputes that are the subject of its concurrently filed Motion to Compel Discovery. On December 17 and December 21, SCO's counsel conducted a telephonic conference with IBM's counsel wherein counsel discussed and attempted to resolve, unsuccessfully, the disputes that are now raised in the context of SCO's Motion to Compel. The disputes that are the subject of SCO's Renewed Motion to Compel Discovery have been addressed by the parties on numerous prior occasions and have been the subject of two prior Court orders.

CONCLUSION

For all of the above reasons, SCO respectfully submits that the Court should order IBM to produce (1) from the files of Samuel J. Palmisano, Irving Wladawsky-Berger, and IBM's Board of Directors, all non-privileged documents that refer to or mention Linux; and (2) an appropriate witness for the full scope of each of the Rule 30(b)(6) topics that SCO noticed on November 30 and December 2, 2004.

DATED this 23rd day of December, 2004.

Respectfully submitted,

By: (signature of Brent O. Hatch)
HATCH, JAMES & DODGE, P.C.
Brent O. Hatch
Mark F. James

BOIES, SCHILLER & FLEXNER, L.L.P.
Robert Silver
Edward Normand
Sean Eskovitz

Counsel for The SCO Group, Inc.

16

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

Plaintiff/Counterclaim Defendant, The SCO Group, Inc., hereby certifies that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Plaintiff's Memorandum in Support of Renewed Motion to Compel Discovery was served by mail on Defendant International Business Machines Corporation on the 23rd day of December, 2004, by U.S. Mail to:

David Marriott, Esq.
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
[address]

Donald J. Rosenberg, Esq.
[address]

Todd Shaughnessy, Esq.
Snell & Wilmer LLP
[address]

(signature)

17

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

Plaintiff/Counterclaim Defendant, The SCO Group, Inc., hereby certifies that a true and correct copy of the foregoing was served on Defendant IBM on the 5th day of July, 2005 by U.S. Mail to:

David Marriott, Esq.
CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE LLP
[address]

Donald J. Rosenberg, Esq.
[address]

Todd Shaughnessy, Esq.
Snell & Wilmer LLP
[address]

(signature)

18

  1. In each set of requests, SCO defined the word "concerning" as follows: "The term 'concerning' shall mean relating to, referring to, reflecting, describing, evidence, referencing, discussing or constituting." Exh. A at 2; Exh. B at 2.

    (Back to the main text)

  2. The Court took the phrase "ambitious Linux Strategy" from the March 20, 2000 The New York Times article that described the strategy and specifically mentioned Messrs. Palmisano and Wladawsky-Berger. Exh. C. The article described IBM's strategy as one in which IBM "had done something profound: embrace Linux, a symbol of software's counterculture, as the operating system of the future for the Internet." The article went on: "IBM, it was decreed, would embark on a costly program to make all its hardware and software work seamlessly with Linux. So quickly did the company mobilize that even now, hundreds of engineers across the company are already engaged in the Linux campaign, and IBM says its army of Linux engineers will number in the thousands within a few years." The article explained that "IBM's Linux effort is a long-term strategy." The New York Times article also described Mr. Palmisano as "the senior executive who pushed most emphatically for the Linux initiative — and has the most riding on its outcome."

    (Back to the main text)

  3. The remainder of the discovery issues that the Court heard on October 19 were taken, and remain, under the Court's advisement.

    (Back to the main text)

  4. IBM thereafter produced 239 pages from Mr. Wladawsky-Berger's files. They consist largely of the same PowerPoint presentations and Linux Strategy Updates previously produced from Mr. Palmisano's files. They do not contain any e-mails, letters, or notes.

    (Back to the main text)


  


SCO's Redacted Memo in Support of Renewed Motion to Compel Discovery - as text | 160 comments | Create New Account
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Corrections
Authored by: darkonc on Saturday, August 06 2005 @ 03:15 PM EDT
Nobody's perfect -- especially not those who profess to be.

---
Powerful, committed communication. Touching the jewel within each person and bringing it to life..

[ Reply to This | # ]

OT
Authored by: darkonc on Saturday, August 06 2005 @ 03:22 PM EDT
If you're posting URL's remember to turn on HTML and follow the instructions below.

---
Powerful, committed communication. Touching the jewel within each person and bringing it to life..

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SCO's Redacted Memo in Support of Renewed Motion to Compel Discovery - as text
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, August 06 2005 @ 03:31 PM EDT
Honestly, why doesn't the judge just put us out of our collective misery.
Clearly Novell has the authority to waive any contract dispute, and have
exercised that authority already. Even if IBM were proven guilty, they have
been cleared by Novell already. Couldn't the judge just concentrate on this one
fact?

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Maybe IBM could produce relevant documents
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, August 06 2005 @ 04:07 PM EDT
If SCO would actually explain what this case is about.

By insisting that it's about "everything" to do with Linux, I think
that IBM are right to assume that it's really about nothing. Let's hope that
Judge Kimball ultimately sees it that way.

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SCO's Redacted Memo in Support of Renewed Motion to Compel Discovery - as text
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, August 06 2005 @ 04:11 PM EDT
Hmm... A quasi-bankrupt two-bit company, asks one of the world's largest
corporations to hand over a multi-year $2B business plan. And their CEO's
Emails and calendar.

Yup. Queue the "memorandom storage policy" or "your emails get
wiped after a few months to save disk space".

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Newspaper articles again?
Authored by: AG on Saturday, August 06 2005 @ 04:16 PM EDT
SCO is citing a NY Times article as reference. I thought you can't use a newpaper article as factual source. You can introduce it to show that there is press coverage about something (to prove there is a public dispute, for example), but you can't rely on it for the factual content (because its only somebody else's opinion, after all, not facts).

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42
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, August 06 2005 @ 04:28 PM EDT
42 - that should have been IBMs response till SCO clearly states what they need
to find out.

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SCO's Redacted Memo in Support of Renewed Motion to Compel Discovery - as text
Authored by: Trepalium on Saturday, August 06 2005 @ 04:46 PM EDT
It's certainly possible this was written for the benefit of the press, but perhaps they actually believe it. If I remember correctly, IBM objected to the certain requests with the same reasons over and over again. It was the same cookie cutter text over and over again, occasionally with an addition or removal from the list of reasons why IBM should not have to produce for this request. Perhaps from their point of view, these repetitive objections actually looked like IBM is trying to stonewall them.

I'd like to think that perhaps this discovery nonsense could've been resolved a little more easily if IBM had volunteered to do a subset of the requests as they did for those name and addresses that SCO wanted. Of course, given the fact SCO continued to complain after IBM's proposed compromise, perhaps it wouldn't have helped. It's also not in IBM's best interest to help SCO's lawyers with anything. If SCO's lawyers want something, they should ask for it properly.

Perhaps it's foolish to try to see rationality in people who appear to be acting extremely irrational.

---
No Software Patents! http://www.nosoftwarepatents.com/

[ Reply to This | # ]

Caldera's Motivation
Authored by: the_flatlander on Saturday, August 06 2005 @ 05:02 PM EDT
SCO's underlying argument goes like this: they won't or can't say what exactly they are looking for, so they want IBM to spend millions of dollars collecting and turning over massive discovery, just so SCO can try to see if maybe there might be something there. IBM is basically forcing them to be more specific. That is what this is all about, and SCO portraying it as IBM "stalling" is just silly. IBM is asking SCO to narrow its scope, and in the end SCO did.
Well, PJ could be right, and I don't really mean to argue, but you know, there's another possibility, and I've said it before: Maybe the SCOundrels want to see IBM's "Linux Plans" because they are hoping to get a clue how to make money in that business; heaven knows they've failed at that, themselves, till now.

I know, it seems increasingly unlikely that the SCOundrels' business will survive this ugly mess of lawsuits, but when they started, (and this memo is from a pretty long time ago), maybe they didn't realize how terminal this fiaSCO was.

The Flatlander

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Slightly OT - what's the case all about again?
Authored by: lifewish on Saturday, August 06 2005 @ 07:07 PM EDT
I've been following this case from the very beginning, and have read almost
every single one of PJ's blog entries. As such, I'd assumed that I had some kind
of clue about the case.

However, I just spent 5 minutes trying to give a brief overview to my mum and I
realised that I have completely lost track as to what the case is currently
about. SCOX has modified their claims so often, and so many have been shot down
in flames, that I have absolutely no idea what's still at issue.

Is anyone willing to give me a five minute summary of my own as to what's
currently under debate? Cheers.

---
To err is human but, to really screw up, you need a computer.

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SCO's Redacted Memo in Support of Renewed Motion to Compel Discovery - as text
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, August 06 2005 @ 08:46 PM EDT
I've been vatching this saga from the beginning and as a foreigner I just wonder
that are all you americans really of the opinion that your legal system is the
best the world can offer. I mean PJ has done a terrific job in explaining the
procedures and how the legal system works but I just can't help but wonder if
your system is just a system made for the enrichment of layers and not for
justice at all.

Don't take me wrong, but in a democracy, if you see something wrong the people
usually have a possibility to correct it. This lawsuit is simply so silly that
you can really say: only in America

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SCO's Redacted Memo in Support of Renewed Motion to Compel Discovery - as text
Authored by: leonpmu on Sunday, August 07 2005 @ 05:08 AM EDT
Marbux

I would just like to thank you for you invaluable insight as a retired lawyer to
our rediculous questions. You really answer them well, especially to us laymen
(geeky) types.

Thank you again

[ Reply to This | # ]

  • Seconded - Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, August 07 2005 @ 07:27 AM EDT
    • Thirded - Authored by: tiger99 on Sunday, August 07 2005 @ 01:28 PM EDT
IBM's Linux Strategy?
Authored by: rsteinmetz70112 on Sunday, August 07 2005 @ 09:04 AM EDT
What does IBM's Linux Strategy have to do with SCO's claims?

I've never really gotten the point.

If IBM decided to promote Linux how is that improper? If IBM made took some
improper actions they should be held responsible but COG has not to date
identified anything improper in the "Strategy". The
"Strategy" almost certainly doesn't contain any directive or
permission to steal SCO's "Intellectual Property".

---
Rsteinmetz - IANAL therefore my opinions are illegal.

"I could be wrong now, but I don't think so."
Randy Newman - The Title Theme from Monk

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SCO's hyperbole - the reson
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, August 07 2005 @ 10:19 AM EDT
SCO's hyperbole is a bit much. It's their style of lawyering, but I never get used to it, and it makes my blood boil every time.

When a opponent get's mad, he makes mistakes. One wonders if that's SCOX's objective with their lies to the judge and their overreaching statements; hope their opponent gets mad and makes mistakes. The problem with that is that a judge's anger can be pretty devestating. Or perhaps they hope to make Kimbal mad, then appeal. If so, it doesn't appear to be working that way.

It has worked for them, the overreaching part. Look what happened with the source code discovery.

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Blame the courts, not scox lawyers
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, August 07 2005 @ 10:54 PM EDT

Of course scox lawyers will angle for every advantage they can get, that is what
lawyers are supposed to do.

If anything makes my blood boil, it's the courts which repeatedly allow scox's
lawyers to get away with this behavior.

The courts are fully aware of what scox is doing, but they allow scox to get
away with it anyway.

-walterbyrd

[ Reply to This | # ]

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