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SCO's Motion to Depose Denied; Motion to Compel Denied w/o Prejudice - Updated 5
Friday, February 24 2006 @ 07:26 PM EST

First word from the courthouse on today's hearing. Chris Brown was there and is driving home, after which he'll amplify, as will others, I anticipate:
SCO lost on both the motion to compel and to take the depositions. However on the motion to compel it was without prejudice to refile. Judge Wells was VERY emphatic in her denial of SCO's motion on the depositions. I will write more when I get home. The hearing was 2 hours long.

More now from Chris, who made it home safely. And then we have a second witness, Justin Findlay, who also attended and has had time now to type up his notes. And now a third.

Chris reports:

Pamela, Appearing for IBM was Todd Shaughnessy and Gregory Curtis. For SCO was Brent Hatch, Mark James, and sitting at their table, Darl McBride. Intel's Anthony Marks also appeared.

Judge Wells held a sidebar at the beginning to discuss a future order and hearing not associated with today's topics.

Brent Hatch started out talking about the request to take the depositions of Intel, Oracle, and The Open Group. Judge Wells brought up her October 12, 2005 order and said that depositions MUST be completed by the cutoff date. That any that cannot be taken by that date must be forgone. Brent stated that they properly noticed the depositions before the cutoff date and that they were not taken for reasons outside his, or his client's, control. That the problems were caused by third parties. Judge Wells asked if the subpeonas were defective in some manner. Hatch: "Yes, they were". Judge Wells asked when they were corrected and Brent replied the day before. He said that these third parties were aware of Judge Wells' October 12th order and were using a strict interpretation of it to delay the depositions such that they don't have to be done.

Judge Wells asks "How can you interpret my order in any other way than how it was phrased?"

Brent goes on to, essentially, explain how. He described Intel's "complaining" about technical problems with the subpoenas but that they were aware of the deposition subject since January 12th (15 days before the deadline). That they had adequate notice. Judge Wells said that if she were to accept Brent's argument then court orders would have no meaning.

Brent points out that Intel (based on Intel's motion) indicated they were aware of SCO's attempts in this matter since November. Wells asks "Did you say you were aware of your desire to depose Intel since November?". Brent answers "Yes". Judge Wells follows up with something to the effect that if SCO was aware since November they should have had enough time to properly notice them. Brent replied that they did (referring to the Jan. 12th notice).

Todd Shaughnessy for IBM provides a summary of the defects in the subpoenas SCO sent Intel, Oracle, and The Open Group. He says SCO acknowledges they did not serve proper subpoenas until the afternoon of Jan 26th for a 9 am deposition with document production and one, or a series, of 30(b)(6) witnesses. Anyone would hold that to be insufficient notice. He says he cannot speak for Intel, Oracle, or The Open Group. He then goes into details of the subpoena defects.

With no objection from Todd or Brent, Intel's attorney Anthony Marks addresses Judge Wells.

Anthony Marks says that SCO asserts some kind of wrongdoing by Intel. He says that Intel takes its reputation as a good corporate citizen very seriously and felt compelled to appear before Judge Wells. He provides a timeline to Judge Wells and points out that Intel was not noticed of the depositions until the day before they were to be taken. He said Intel estimated 3 to 9 30(b)(6)individuals would be required. He disputed SCO's "45 day" figure they claim Intel had been aware of the subpoena. Mr. Marks personally handled it and said that subpoena in November was for a different subject, for specific documents, which Intel responded to 45 days or more ago. He says that SCO's assertions "were offensive to (him)."

Brent Hatch responds. In discussing the timeline he mostly repeats his earlier assertions about adequate notice. He quotes from Kuperics case where "lawyers messed up big" but eventually served the subpoena 15 minutes *after* depo time. The court found it sufficient because the deponent was fully aware of the depo time. That there had been no change in the date and had time to prepare. In the present case, Intel knew the topics as early as the 12th or 13th of January.

Judge Wells rules from the bench: The subpoena of January 12th provided inadequate notice or time. She finds the January 12th subpoena was defective in both substance and service. That even had it not been defective it provided inadequate notice and time. SCO's motion is denied. Her October 12th orders were clear, not subject to unilateral decisions to violate. Todd Shaughnessy is to prepare the order.

Zounds. Not subject to unilateral decisions to violate. She's caught on, I see. More on the second matter shortly.

2nd Update: This is the headline for today, methinks. I hear from Chris that Judge Wells told Darl to be quiet!! He was there, and he was talking to one of SCO's lawyers. Here's what Chris told me:

Shortly into the second portion of the hearing, while Darl was busy Googling and talking to Mark James, Judge Wells asked him to be quiet, that she knows he wants to talk (presumedly to Mark James), but to just pay attention.

Darl spent most of the hearing, while sitting between Brent Hatch and Mark James, Googling and looking at documents.

: )

I am speechless.

: D hahahahahaha

Oh, my, oh, my. I can't breathe.

I did ask if Chris could see what Darl was Googling about, but he huffily if jokingly told me that he doesn't sit on *that* side of the room, so he couldn't see.

And with that, I'll go finish working on the rest of Chris's report, on the second motion. Like any of us can pay attention now.

3rd Update:

Here's Chris's report on the second motion, the Motion to Compel:

Judge Wells moved onto SCO's Motion to Compel. She asked SCO's Mark James to address IBM's recent document production and how it affects SCO's Motion to Compel. She asked him to address SCO's claim of IBM having pre-1991 AIX source code in North Carolina. Judge Wells also asked SCO if they have found, after all the discovery provided by IBM, any evidence of source-code misappropriation by IBM or do they need more.

Mark James says that IBM's recent production of 340,000 documents are still being reviewed. That it's difficult to say what has been mooted, that a number of issues have beem mooted. More production is forthcoming from IBM as well. SCO has identified some issues, some items not satisfied, and have provided a list of them to IBM. Mark said that "Yes, we *do* have evidence of source code misappropriation" but said essentially that that doesn't mean that no more code production is required.

Regarding Project Monteray, Mark says IBM claims they've given them everything. SCO is still reviewing and after they do they might come back and say some is missing.

With regard to the pre-2001 production, Mark says they addressed it on page 6 of their reply memo. That SCO believes IBM's violations go back to 1998. That if there are responsive Linux documents pre-2001, IBM should produce them.

On AIX versions pre-1999 IBM says thay have produced all, but can't find pre-1990 software. Their position is they've looked everywhere that SCO and IBM have suggested they look.

Judge Wells asks if this hearing should be continued until SCO has had the opportunity to review IBM production. Mark says, Yes. IBM's Todd Shaughnessy respectfully asks that the Motion to Compel be denied, and that he's prepared to address this in detail. Wells tells Mark James to proceed.

Mark says they need IBM to provide someone to explain how they interpret their AIX licenses because they are so similar to SCO's license.

Mark claimed that at a deposition of SCO's, with regard to the "Chicago Seven", IBM's counsel limited the deposition topics and instructed the deponent not to respond on topics outside IBM's list Mark said that this was improper of IBM.

Judge Wells asks IBM's Todd Shaughnessy to address 1) IBM's alleging much of SCO's motion is moot (in what way?); 2) is there any further information IBM has that SCO or IBM would use at trial? She said she doesn't want either opponent to use information at trial that they have withheld. Is IBM prepared to provide an affidavit to that effect? 3) Pertaining to old AIX/Dynix source code, do you have any? Are you prepared to provide an affidavit? 4) Something else I forgot to write down.

Todd responds, discussing the financial information production. He says that they spent four months, over 1,000 hours, collecting and providing to SCO more than 23,000 pages with summaries, overviews, & supporting information. IBM's Mr. Sandy spent over 300 hours preparing and spent a full day with SCO's lawyers at deposition to explain and make sure they understood the production. SCO says IBM provided too much information. SCO asked, "How are they to interpret 23,000 pages?". IBM agreed to allow SCO to depose Mr. Sandy for another day and explained it all again. Todd says that IBM requested much the same information from SCO. However what SCO provided on their deposition was a deponent who had spent less than one hour talking to others (as opposed to Mr. Sandy's several hundred). SCO's deponent's most common answer was "I dont' know, ask 'X'." IBM asked him, "Did you ask 'X'?" to which he would reply "No." SCO's deponent had only spoken with one other person to prepare, as opposed to Mr. Sandy speaking with over 80 people.

Todd has been asking Mr. Normand repeatedly what items SCO is missing. What items are the subject of today's hearing and Motion to Compel? Mr. Normand kept saying, "I don't know." Todd didn't receive notice of what they claim to be missing until this morning when he received an email for four points. He said he was expecing to come to the hearing today and be "sandbagged" with a bunch of items by SCO that they didn't know about.

Judge Wells addressed how she has very little tolerence for poor communications between counsel.

Todd goes on to explain production made in various categories, addressing SCO's list. He told of IBM's efforts to find pre-1991 source code. He explains that during one of SCO's depositions an IBM deponent told of a mainframe computer in Texas that at one time had pre-1991 source code on it. When she was asked further about it she said she doesn't know if any source code is still on it, but she believes the hardware had been shipped to North Carolina. Todd explained how they'd followed up on this, that people had said the source code had been removed before the hardware had been shipped, but that even if the code were left on it's disk, the equipement is so obsolete it couldn't be retrieved.

Mark James responds. He discussed the 340,000 document production of IBM's and how SCO hasn't finished reviewing it. That they don't know how much of the Motion to Compel has been mooted. Wells asks about the four items SCO identified to IBM and how SCO knows they haven't been mooted by the production.

Mark James replies that they might be mooted, but SCO has done a quick cut of the documents and right now don't believe they have been addressed. Judge Wells asks, "How can I order IBM to produce documents that they say they have produced?" I don't recall Mark's reply.

Judge Wells says they will recess while she deciedes how to address the issue.

Judge Wells returns from chambers about five minutes later. She says that she will deny SCO's motion to compel without predjudice. That SCO has 30 days to renew and MUST clearly and narrowly define documents required. There are questions asked and Judge Wells further clarifies that that applies to both the January production and the currently pending motion to compel.

4th Update, Justin Findlay:

Justin was also in attendance, and here's the first part of his report, with more as he finishes typing:

I was unfortunately a train late and had two minutes to run from the train station to the courthouse, so I came panting into the room where Magistrate Wells was presiding right at 2:30. She had a party of lawyers at the sidebar taking care of "housekeeping". It took me a while to figure out how to take good notes on what was being said, so I may have missed some important things and I apologise now to Misters Hatch, Shaughnessy, Marks, and James and Magistrate Wells if I have mischaracterized or misquoted what they have meant or said. I fear I may have, judging from the cryptic and arcane fragments and phrases I find strewn across the several pages of notes before me:
Brent O. Hatch: Mr. Hatch began by arguing that the subpoenas served to Oracle and Intel and the Open Group were properly served before the deadline on January 27th.

Magistrate Wells: In Magistrate Wells' first response she reminded Mr. Hatch of the literal and emphatic reality of the deadline of discovery which the court set on October 12th.

Hatch: Mr. Hatch spoke about the third parties whom they had sent subpoenas for deposition, etc. had ostensibly become unavailable in the matter of SCO's discovery requests until after the deadline.

Wells: Magistrate Wells asked when the subpoenas were served.

Hatch: They were served on January 12th. Mr. Hatch made further argumentation about the rigidity of Magistrate Wells' interpretation of the agreement over the discovery deadline.

Wells: Magistrate Wells responds by reading some of the language of said agreement to the effect that any discovery activity not completed when the deadline falls shall be forgone.

Hatch: Mr. Hatch argued about the third parties avoiding discovery until the deadline had drawn near or passed. SCO had served their subpoena to Intel January 12th, or 15 days before the deadline.

Wells: Magistrate Wells says that 30 days is needed for adequate response to a subpoena.

Hatch: Mr. Hatch argues that in this district (the district of Utah) 10 days is commonly accepted as reasonable. Intel had been working with SCO in their discovery process since November on discovery related to that which SCO is seeking from their present subpoena to Intel, and because of this SCO didn't wait until the last minute on the discovery it wants, but rather suffered the lack of due responsibility from third parties and potentially IBM, supposing IBM might say: "SCO is asking for so many extra depositions". IBM and 3rd parties are using technical defects in SCO's service of subpoenas to thwart discovery.

Wells: Magistrate Wells supposes that the court orders and rules are for no other purpose than to be broken.

Hatch: Mr. Hatch argues that there is always work to be done near the end of discovery. Every lawyer will not have time to fully explore all germane discovery. IBM has turned over a large amount of documents 2 days before the discovery cutoff. Some depositions cannot be done until "late in the game" because during the course of discovery a party may learn information upon which to base more discovery.

Todd M. Shaughnessy: The documents IBM had provided to SCO were delivered before the document request due date. SCO didn't properly serve subpoenas on third parties since no correct subpoena was served until one day before the discovery cutoff. Mr. Shaughnessy does not purport to represent Oracle, Intel, et al. SCO's defects were not "technical defects" but rather the worst kind of defects possible. Indeed, SCO's subpoenas 1) required nonspecific documents; 2) failed to include specific witnesses for deposition; would necessitate witnesses to travel 2000 miles to New York.

SCO chose not to follow rules. Subpoenas cannot be faxed but must be served in person. You can't send a "flurry of faxes" to just anyone within a company's legal department, as corporations have extablished proceedures for such things. SCO did not conform to the rules of the Northern District of California for the serving of subpoenas. SCO has imposed an enormous burden on 3rd parties with their last minute discovery.

Magistrate Wells formally requests both counsels whether Mr. Marks representing Intel may present his arguments. No objections.

Anthony Marks: Mr. Marks says SCO's counsel has insinuated that Intel has supposedly conspired in preventing SCO's sought discovery. Intel endeavors to be a good "citizen corporation" and is a "fair litigant" and therefore takes SCO's attributions and claims seriously. Intel had not recieved an effective subpoena until the afternoon of January 26th. The document served to Intel contained six enumerated topics each with several subsections. Three to nine employees would need to be deposed. To properly address the issues more than ten employees would have to be deposed. Intel had indeed been party to the case earlier in which they provided SCO a "discrete" set of documents.

Wells: Magistrate Wells asks where Mr. Marks is located.

Marks: Arizona. SCO has asked Intel for all documents Intel has related to SCO and all documents related to IBM. The subpoena served (on the 26th) was not valid. There was no personal service (as it was faxed). Intel had no obligation to respond to the subpoena as it was thus invalid. Two weeks was not enough time to produce all that was required of Intel to produce under the breadth of topics nominated and SCO should have known. Nevertheless, Intel responded providing a "forutious roadmap" against what SCO had hitherto erred in requiring. Intel chose to spend money and legal resources on filing a brief to make clear the incredibly onerous nature the production of all SCO asks Intel for in the time appointed by the court.

Hatch: Mr. Hatch again speaks about the matter of SCO's discovery at hand being related to discovery SCO has been seeking since as early as November 2004 and argues that SCO deserves, as IBM also deserves, to get discovery late in the game since not all the discovery a party may desire is known to that party at the beginning. Mr. Hatch then produces a document related to a 1991 Cooperige(?) case where a the court ruled a subpoena served 15 minutes after the time scheduled was valid although the party served took counsel and rejected the subpoena on technical grounds, yet in this (SCO v IBM) case Intel had ten days or since the 12th or 13th of January at least. SCO had dealt with Intel over these "very matters" 45 days earlier. Instead Intel doesn't cooperate in good faith.

Wells: Magistrate Wells rules on the subject of the subpoenas. The subpoenas served on the 26th gave inadequate notice and time. Even were the subpoenas served on the 12th not technically defective they would have been inadequate so near the cutoff. Motion on depositions is denied. October wording is clear that discovery not completed before the cutoff must be forgone.

Mark F. James: IBM has recently served SCO 340,000 documents. SCO is expecting additional documents from IBM. Recently identified information SCO wants to be produced:

1. IBM Global Market View (I think)
2. FIW(-)C database for AIX
3. Service Tracker
4. Linux financial documents

Yes, SCO has found misappropriated source code. Mr. James mentions something about filing something under seal. SCO is dilligently reviewing the documents produced by IBM and has not found all that they may want to know. IBM represents that they have produced all documents on Monterey. Our contention is that IBM has arbitrarily set a 2001 deadline on the production of their documents related to marketing and promoting Linux products and services when that activity extends as far back as the 1998 time period. If IBM declares they have produced everything related to pre 1991 AIX source and North Carolina mainframes, then SCO will accept such declaration. SCO has recieved 340,000 documents "late in the game".

Wells: Magistrate Wells interrupts Mr. James here in order to inquire of the counsels whether the hearing should be adjourned until the matter of SCO's sifting through IBM's large document production is completed so as to not waste anyone's time on conjecture.

Shaughnessy: Mr. Shaughnessy believes that SCO's motion should be denied and supposes SCO's motive in wanting to argue it is to buy more delay, therefore Mr. Shaughnessy does not want the hearing adjourned.

James: Mr. James wants IBM documents and depositions as to the corporation's opinion on the language in AIX and Dynix licenses. Some language is simmilar to SCO's license. How do they interpret the language? Shaughnessy: Mr. Shaughnessy replies that the language in the licenses should be legally clear.

James: The Chicago 7 were seven companies who conferenced in Chicago to discuss Linux/SCO. Karen Smith of IBM unilaterally limited deposition to exclude SCO's choice of deposition topics. SCO believes the Chicago 7 is still an issue.

Wells: How long will it take to complete discovery of documents IBM has recently produced?

James: A couple of weeks.

Wells: Neither IBM nor SCO can use information witheld from the other side in the case. IBM was required to produce all versions and changes to AIX and Dinyx source code. Magistrate Wells says something about the North Carolina mainframe affair and pre-1991 AIX source code.

Shaughnessy: Mr. Shaughnessy begins by giving some background on the production of their financial info which is the heart of the issue. IBM spent months collecting documents. William Sandy (Sandve?), consultants, attorneys, and eighty employees gathered information across multiple divisions and gleaned information from financial databases. Over 1000 hours were spent. IBM produced summaries, overviews, and background information and detailed indicies. IBM produced Mr. Sandy for deposition in order to explain what he had learned. Mr. Sandy who spent 300 hours on this project appeared for deposition to walk SCO counsel through the information. Mr. Sandy spent the whole day with the SCO counsel. SCO counsel didn't seem interested and instead talked with Mr. Sandy about other issues. SCO requests a second day with Mr. Sandy. All of IBM's produced financial documents are in electronic form. IBM has invested an extrordinary amount of time, money, and resources. Mr. Shaughnessy then contrasts this effort to SCO's production of financial information. SCO produces a Mr. Hunsaker who had spent about an hour talking to a couple of people. Mr. Sandy had spoken with eighty. Mr. Hunsaker's prevailing answer was "I don't know".

Mr. Shaughnessy asked SCO counsel via email prior to this hearing why the hearing is needed; what is missing from our production of documents and witnesses? SCO counsel replies: "I don't know". Mr. Shaughnessy is wary of being sandbagged at the hearing with issues he is not aware of. The first time he learns about the four points Mr. James presented was at 7:00 PM last night and again at 10:00 AM this morning.

Wells: Magistrate Wells has no patience for lack of communication between counsels before coming to court.

Shaughnessy: We don't need ambiguity to waste our time. We all have been very busy with this case.

The motion to compel is just a placeholder so SCO can later decide what they want produced. Pre-2001 Linux marketing documents are not relevant. IBM * has* produced pre-2001 financial documents because SCO has used some of that info in their arguments.

Pre-1991 AIX source code - IBM produced CMVC and RCS database for Dynix. 400 employes and 4000 hours of work. The database begins at 1991. IBM has been exceedingly thorough in searching for pre-1991 AIX code. By the time this case was filed in 2003, pre-1991 AIX source code was obsolete and no longer archived by IBM. There were no requirements or regulations for IBM to keep the source of obsolete software. A data recovery center typically holds customer data and is unlikely to store system source code. Miss Tonks (Hanks?) understands that the mainframe computers which at one time held source code for pre-1991 AIX in Austin were shipped to Raleigh, North Carolina and to her best understanding didn't have any AIX code stored on them. Even if they did, the hard disk drives are unusable. Although IBM didn't survey every computer, person, closet, and database in its 160 countries and 320,000 employees they tried very hard to follow up.

Chicago 7 - Mr. Shaughnessy mentions something about 2 30(b)(6). The Chicago 7 convened once and wasn't interested in SCO, just Linux. It's a "dead letter". SCO concluded the deposition of Miss Smith regarding the Chicago 7 and did not indicate they sought further deposition of her. IBM can't produce witnesses for license agreements. It's vague and amorphous and not a proper topic under 30(b)(6). Why does SCO make issues of exteraneous contracts when IBM raised objection to SCO's pursuit of licenses germane to the case and SCO abandoned? IBM doesn't keep a list of customers who move to Linux from UNIX.

James: We are dilligently reviewing the 340,000 documents and anticipate many ares will be mooted. Mr. James wants to be able to address issues that won't be mooted when review of the documents is complete. Mr. James alludes to an aphorism of the Honorable (Ronald N.?) Boyce to the effect that unless the burden of production exceeds the labor of the Augean stables it is reasonable.

Wells: The Honorable Boyce had a penchant for animal analogies.

James: There is no point in saying "We have given you a great multitude of documents, what need have you of more?" IBM needs to file an affidavidt affirming that they have produced all they can.

Wells: Why is this motion not a placeholder?

James: The motion alludes to document requests months and over a year ago.

Wells: We shall recess in order to decide how to address this issue....

The motion is denied without prejudice. SCO has 30 days to file a renewed motion which clearly and narrowly defines areas not addressed by documents already produced.

Our third witness:

SCO vs IBM Hearing 24 FEB 2006
Rm 220 (Judge Kimball's chambers) 2:30 p.m.
Those present:
Judge Wells – presiding
IBM: Todd Shaughnessy; Gregory Curtis
SCO: Brent Hatch; Mark James; the darl
Intel: Anthony Marks


[personal observations noted in square brackets]

Hearing began with a sidebar approximately 3-4 minutes and included laughter. Judge Wells explained that the sidebar covered some housekeeping matters and discussed pending motions.

First part of hearing covered Motion regarding SCO's request to depose Intel, Oracle, and the Open Group.

Hatch: Argued that SCO properly subpoenaed each company – and he was seeking permission to take depositions.

Wells: October 12 order stated that discovery must be completed by cut off date; if not completed must be foregone.

Hatch: Simple answer is that companies were properly notified. Since the companies knew of cut off date, they only had to delay to avoid giving depositions.

Wells: When were subpoenas served and were they defective?

Hatch: Yes.

Wells: When were proper subpoenas served – day prior to cut off?

Hatch: They knew that subpoenas were coming even though they were defective.

Well: "...they must be foregone."

Hatch: Technical objections...Intel (3rd party) picked up on cut off date. Notice was faxed to Intel January 12 (15 days before cut off). 10 days were more than adequate.

Wells: If I accept that argument, orders have no effect.

Hatch: Why did we wait – certain depositions must be at the end of discovery period. We recently received 340,000 boxes and have not completed review.

Wells: SCO knew of cut off - not interested in 340,000 boxes (pages)

Hatch: We will be prejudiced if unable to take these depositions – request to grant motion.

Shaughnessy: Why are we here? IBM documents were produced timely. SCO's claim that companies were properly served is "not true" - not served until the afternoon before cut off. They were required to produce documents and witnesses. Notices were not remotely close to complying with the rules; they did not identify who, what documents. Each subpoena failed in each case. The North California subpoena (in violation to the 100 mile rule) required the deposition be held in New York (2,000 miles away). Fax service, however must be served personally. These are not technical defects. Service was to legal departments – rules required that service be made on registered agent. In California required to meet and confer. SCO made no effort to comply. SCO had 2-1/2 years, and identified these firms more than a year ago. SCO tried to impose burden on 3rd parties.

Marks: Intel tries to be a good corporate citizen and takes charges seriously. Introduced timeline – not served until day prior to deposition. Intel responded to SCO's fax. SCO then waited 5 days to serve a still-defective subpoena. SCO's attorney told Intel about the deadline. Between 3 and 9 employees would have to attend. Hatch's claim that 30-45 days notice were given is "simply not true". Marks was from Arizona. These subpoenas looked as though a recent law school grad prepared them.

Hatch: SCO only presented case law (Cooper): not in technical compliance. According to Cooper only the notice date is important, not subpoena date. Consequently notice was adequate, there was no date change, time to prepare, topics were known. Intel's objections are not enough to stop depositions.

Wells: Prepared to rule: Inadequate notice, defective subpoenas, Wells order was clear (...must be foregone) – MOTION DENIED

* * *

MOTION TO COMPEL

Wells: Answer the following questions:
1. what specific items are needed?
2. do you have evidence?
3. if granted, how will schedule be affected?
4. pre-1991 information from North Carolina

James: Filed motion 29 December – still reviewing information IBM provided, and additional documents are coming. "Number of issues have been mooted" by information provided, but questions still exist or may still exist – may want to return to request that information – including Project Monterey.

Wells: Should hearing be continued?

James: Yes.

Shaughnessy: No.

Arguments continued --

James: IBM did not produce documents and witnesses; regarding AIX language [something about copyrights in headers – similar in language in SCO's headers – my question as I listened: how could they not be similar?]; something about 'the Chicago 7" meeting – IBM produced a witness, but unilaterally limited scope of questions. Should have complete review (of 340,000 documents) completed in a "couple of weeks".

Wells: [Said something about not being concerned about miscommunication between lawyers or didn't want to hear it – it seemed to be directed to SCO].

Shaughnessy: IBM spent months collecting documents re: finances and produced 23,000 pages with summaries and indicies. SCO spent one day in deposing IBM's witness – didn't ask much about information provided. SCO requested a second day – IBM allowed. SCO complained that there was too much information and wasted a second day-long deposition. In contrast SCO's Mr. Hunsaker (?) spent less than an hour preparing for his deposition and most of his responses were "I don't know", you should really ask Mr. X. When asked if he spoke to Mr. X, replied "No". IBM's witness (in preparation) spent 300 hours and talked to 80 people. Asked Mr. Normand what was required (by this motion) replied that he didn't know. When asked what was missing replied "I don't know". Finally, identified 4 databases in an email at 7:00 p.m. 23 February 2006. The first time that IBM was informed of the these 4 databases.

[As James rose to respond, I left for an appointment.]


  


SCO's Motion to Depose Denied; Motion to Compel Denied w/o Prejudice - Updated 5 | 860 comments | Create New Account
Comments belong to whoever posts them. Please notify us of inappropriate comments.
Off Topic
Authored by: Sawdust Bytes on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 07:31 PM EST
Please, make links clickable, if possible.

[ Reply to This | # ]

Corrections
Authored by: Sawdust Bytes on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 07:33 PM EST
Please, place corrections here.

[ Reply to This | # ]

SCO's Motion to Depose Denied; Motion to Compel Denied without Prejudice
Authored by: ProphetAl on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 07:33 PM EST
Excellent news - thanks Chris and everyone else who made it on our behalf.

---
Comments are my thoughts only and not to be attributed to any other
organisation, individual or entity

[ Reply to This | # ]

SCO's Motion to Depose Denied; Motion to Compel Denied without Prejudice
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 07:35 PM EST
Good. An expected and appreciated response!

Thank you, Chris for attending and providing early results!


...D

[ Reply to This | # ]

Time for PJ to go to the red dress maker???? n/t
Authored by: Sawdust Bytes on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 07:35 PM EST
n/t

[ Reply to This | # ]

Thank You Thread
Authored by: rsteinmetz70112 on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 07:35 PM EST
Thank you everyone who went and takes the time to report.

I can hardly wait for the reports to come in

---
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

[ Reply to This | # ]

Too bad...
Authored by: darkonc on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 07:42 PM EST
I was kinda hoping that she'd pull out a cluestick (in the form of some imaginative sanctions) and beat them senseless with it.
OK. Maybe that was something of a null statement... and a fantasy.

...but it was a good one while it lasted.

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

[ Reply to This | # ]

SCO's Motion to Depose Denied; Motion to Compel Denied without Prejudice
Authored by: Kaemaril on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 08:01 PM EST

Isn't it about time the courts started cracking down on SCOs antics? How about dismissal with prejudice? How about the judges stating in open court that they believe SCO are gaming the system and won't tolerate it?

It's not like SCO can pull the Microsoft defence, and claim the judges were biased. Not successfully, anyway. No judge in their right mind could (or should) take the crap SCO are trying.

When this is over, I want to see disciplinary action. There's vigorous advocation and then there's just taking the mickey.

[ Reply to This | # ]

SCO's Motion to Depose Denied; Motion to Compel Denied w/o Prejudice - Updated
Authored by: ChrisP on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 08:57 PM EST
" Zounds. Not subject to unilateral decisions to violate."

Is this message in lawyerspeak, containing meaning a non-lawyer like me wouldn't
catch on to?

---
SCO^WM$^WIBM^W, oh bother, no-one paid me to say this.

[ Reply to This | # ]

SCO's Motion to Depose Denied;
Authored by: rsteinmetz70112 on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 08:59 PM EST
Based on the report of the first motion it didn't seem like it took two hours.

I'm very glad that Wells is now acting decisively. She has lately taken command
of her courtroom and control of this case.

---
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

[ Reply to This | # ]

Whoa. Did Hatch blow it, or what?
Authored by: Jude on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 09:02 PM EST
Wells asks "Did you say you were aware of your desire to depose Intel since November?".
Brent answers "Yes"

IANAL, but I'll bet there were LOTS of better answers that Hatch could have
given without risking any impropriety. I'll bet this was a big factor in Wells'
decision on this motion.

[ Reply to This | # ]

The judge's question
Authored by: Yossarian on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 09:04 PM EST
> Judge Wells asks "How can you interpret my order
> in any other way than how it was phrased?"

This is a pretty good question.

A Judge should give clear orders; it is a part of
his/her job. If SCO thinks that there was another, valid,
interpretation to the judge's order then they better
explain to her what she did wrong.

[ Reply to This | # ]

"not subject to unilateral decisions to violate"
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 09:14 PM EST

On a list of categories of people you really really don't want to have annoyed
at you, judges come pretty high on the scale.

But, given their propensity for even-handedness, it can be pretty difficult to
do - outside of blatant contempt of court.

I don't know exactly how that phrase translates from lawyer-code into plain
English. But I'm fairly certain that it would include the words "be
afraid"!

[ Reply to This | # ]

Long Distance Dedication--"Boom! Boom! Out Go The Lights!"
Authored by: TheBlueSkyRanger on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 09:16 PM EST
Hey everybody!

I'm glad I'm just typing this. It is very hard for me to form a coherent
sentence about this without a massive giggle fit.

I was hoping the judge would rule like this. IANAL, but seriously, ruling
otherwise could create a dangerous precedent, sending the rules of procedure
down the soil pipe. (Hmm...soil pipe, PIPE fairy...I get the feeling there's a
joke there, but I just can't focus on it right now.)

The fact that they admitted to knowing they wanted to do this in November is
where their chances of succeeding in their argument dwindled to the vanishing
point. Although, does this mean these motions are finished, or can they refile
or appeal? I'm guessing an appeal is out, since they have to prove the judge
violated the rules and she in fact reinforced them (I imagine IBM could have
appealed and won had she ruled the other way).

Can the judges PLEASE allow recording devices? I would LOVE to have these on
DVD.

I know I suggested a long time ago (and, IIRC, was pretty much dismissed as a
kook), that IBM might heap so much potential trouble on SCO (jail time, fines,
etc.) that SCO might flip and turn in evidence on who was behind the whole
scheme to begin with, especially now that IBM is chasing Baystar and others.
I'm starting to think this may happen yet.

I don't like to gamble. My friends know that I only bet money if I believe I
have a nearly guaranteed chance to win. Yesterday, I wouldn't have bet any
money on this case. Now, I'd be willing to bet my retirement account on it.

If this truly is the last attempt that SCO has, then great. That means there is
nothing they can do now to put off the inevitable. The light at the end of the
tunnel is an oncoming train. As Miguel O'Hara said in "Spider-Man
2099", "There's a train leaving town at noon. Be under it."

Dobre utka,
The Blue Sky Ranger

"It's the power and glory, it's war in paradise,
"A Cinderella story on a tumble of the dice."
--Rush
"Big Money"

[ Reply to This | # ]

Struth - did PJ utter an oath!
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 09:18 PM EST
Golly! Gadzooks! Crikey! Gosh! How could she stoop so low.

[ Reply to This | # ]

What about BSF's faulty subpoenas?
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 09:28 PM EST

Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, February 21 2006 @ 06:59 PM EST

If you serve them correctly, you have to ask the questions

If you make a mess of them, Intel gets to tell the court what they think of your case and you have to answer the questions.

Now what about Oracle?

:)

That's my explanation and I'm sticking to it.

BSF have had enough and Intel can put us all out of misery?

But what about M$ and anti-trust?

:)

All just my opinion of course.Groklaw

:(

Brian S.

[ Reply to This | # ]

Prediction
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 09:36 PM EST
SCO will appeal Wells' decision to Judge Kimball.

And Kimball will whack them for it. Not sanctions, but very firm words.

MSS2

[ Reply to This | # ]

Question for Eye Witnesses
Authored by: rsteinmetz70112 on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 09:55 PM EST
Approximately how much time was spent on each motion?

From Chris' report is sounds like the first motion was dealt with fairly
quickly, of course we don't know if the hearing started on time or how long the
side bar took.

---
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

[ Reply to This | # ]

SCO's theory on deposition subpoenas
Authored by: Khym Chanur on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 09:57 PM EST
So SCO's theory is basically: if the party being served receives a suboena for a deposition with technical defects, they should act as if it had no defects and start preparing for the deposition, because they know the serving party will get around to serving a corrected subpoena? And thus not starting preparation upon receiving a defective subpoena is a form of gaming the system?

---
Give a man a match, and he'll be warm for a minute, but set him on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life. (Paraphrased from Terry Pratchett)

[ Reply to This | # ]

SCO's Motion to Depose Denied
Authored by: Dave23 on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 09:58 PM EST
From the report (many thanks!):
... Judge Wells asked if the subpeonas were defective in some manner. Hatch: "Yes, they were". Judge Wells asked when they were corrected and Brent replied the day before. ...

... Wells asks "Did you say you were aware of your desire to depose Intel since November?". Brent answers "Yes".

So, the subpoenas could have gone out in in early December, not January 12th.

Were SCOG/BSF in a resource crunch? Or were they attempting to game the system and injure both IBM and third parties unilaterally? You decide.

If you really care. The result is fixed, now.

IANAL

---
Gawker

[ Reply to This | # ]

Intel sending their own lawyer was a pleasant surprise
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 10:09 PM EST

Sort of sends the message - "Not only are IBM going to beat you to a pulp
[in legal terms], but we'll be happy to hold you down while they do it!"

Intel get a heck of a lot of bad press, partly because they've had the same
dominant market position on the hardware side as M$ do on the software side.

I would have expected them to ignore SCO's rantings as just another attempted
smear on their name.

Instead, they genuinely seem to have taken offence.

Another triumph for SCO. What do you do when you're losing against one of the
world's biggest software manufacturers? Insult one of the world's biggest
hardware manufacturers as well, just for good measure!

[ Reply to This | # ]

SCO's Motion to Depose Denied; Motion to Compel Denied w/o Prejudice - Updated
Authored by: tredman on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 10:09 PM EST
You know, it's a shame we can't gamble on here. Otherwise, I'd be organizing a
Groklaw pool right now. Everybody gets to pick a date that SCOX files their
next Motion to Compel; winner take all. I'm not sure which date I'd pick, but
I'm guessing that we're talking about days (or a small number of weeks) before
it happens again.

---
Tim
"I drank what?" - Socrates, 399 BCE

[ Reply to This | # ]

SCO's Motion to Depose Denied; Motion to Compel Denied w/o Prejudice - Updated 2Xs
Authored by: imjustabigcat on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 10:28 PM EST
Googling???!!!

It beggars description.

Well, I suppose it could have been a stress-relieving activity....

[ Reply to This | # ]

SCO's Motion to Depose Denied; Motion to Compel Denied w/o Prejudice - Updated 2Xs
Authored by: gadget on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 10:35 PM EST
I heard he was looking up "Courtroom Etiquette for Dummys"

ROTFLMAO

[ Reply to This | # ]

    One (SCO) Rat to the other ...
    Authored by: ray08 on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 10:41 PM EST
    You jump off the port side, I'll take the starboard!

    ---
    Caldera is toast! And Groklaw is the toaster! (with toast level set to BURN)

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    Darl McBride at the table?
    Authored by: bmcmahon on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 10:44 PM EST

    I'm curious what reasons D. McBride had for sitting at the bench there. From the update (judge told him to be quiet), it sure doesn't sound like he was there to say anything to the court.

    From the description of him Googling all the time (and attempting to talk to others), I get the distinct impression that (A) he feels that All Is Not Well with the way the case is going, and therefore (B) he Feels The Need To Help. Common executive disease -- believing that, in spite of having a whole platoon of highly qualified (and highly paid) experts hard at work on the problem, what the situation really needs is the input of the high-level types (who don't really know what's going on, or what to do, but they're the chiefs, by golly!).

    Funny-but-true story: A friend of mine, senior I.T. guy for a large midwestern financial outfit, gave me a tour of the facility, some many moons ago. They had the classic IBM mainframe setup, with a "dinosaur pen" of Big Blue Iron, glass walls, raised floors, the works. Next door was the Operations Room, with the rows of consoles, and rows of operators peering intently into the consoles.

    Adjacent to the Ops Room was the "Situation Room". It had a nice conference table, chairs, a whiteboard, and a door to Operations that was always kept locked.

    See, this place had learned long ago that, when there was some kind of system crisis in progress, senior non-technical management would often experience an urgent need to help. Of course, actually letting them in to Ops would only delay the resolution of the problem, if not outright derail it.

    The solution was the Situation Room. It gave them a nice place to corral the "helpful" PHB types, where they could see the action, even feel like they were part of the solution, but not actually get in anyone's way.

    I think Darl was there to be helpful ... probably much to the distress of the lawyers. But you can't very well tell your client to go away, can you?

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    Who could resist the temptation?
    Authored by: mr.mighty on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 10:44 PM EST
    Well, it's not that much of a surprise. How many people could resist the
    temptation of telling Darl to shut up and pay attention?

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    Shut up, Darl...
    Authored by: tredman on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 10:45 PM EST
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

    I was going to come up with some academic, thought provoking analysis of that
    event, but some things just speak for themselves.

    Why couldn't SCOX have been a Tampa company? I'd have paid good money to see
    that.

    ---
    Tim
    "I drank what?" - Socrates, 399 BCE

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    SCO's Motion to Depose Denied; Motion to Compel Denied w/o Prejudice - Updated 3Xs
    Authored by: Glenn on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 10:48 PM EST
    I believe that The SCOG fully expected to lose this one. The third string was
    the only one that showed up. none of the heavy hitters were there.

    Glenn

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    SCO's Motion to Depose Denied; Motion to Compel Denied w/o Prejudice - Updated 2Xs
    Authored by: electron on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 10:56 PM EST
    Sounds like the lawyers wanted Darl to front up with them, but he didn't
    particularly want to be there.

    Or maybe they really are being micro-managed by the SCOundrel.


    ---
    Electron

    "A life? Sounds great! Do you know where I could download one?"

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    SCO's Motion to Depose Denied; Motion to Compel Denied w/o Prejudice - Updated 3Xs
    Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 10:59 PM EST
    Interesting that nobody from Boies Schiller was present for SCO, only the local
    counsel.

    Was this perhaps a way for Boies Schiller to distance themselves from this
    deposition notice fiasco? But, but --- Boies Schiller signed the documents,
    didn't they? But -- maybe their client -- Darl and company -- overruled the
    advice of counsel and demanded the noticing of the depositions?

    From the sound of the quotes from the hearing, SCO's local counsel sounded
    eminently capable of being responsible for the improper/faulty notices -- but
    Boies Schiller signed them. What gives?

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    Get out the broom, It's a clean sweep
    Authored by: rsteinmetz70112 on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 11:11 PM EST
    Sounds like Wells is on top of it and is expecting SCOG to tighten up. She could
    hardly prevent SCOG from filing another motion, but she could and did order SCOG
    to be specific.

    I think it hilarious that after asking for the Sun, the Moon and the stars SCOG
    now says they don't understand what IBM gave them because they got too much.

    Based on the description of the financial deposition, I imagine IBM will be back
    with laser focused motions to compel fairly soon.

    It occurs to me that IBM may have another strategy for dealing with SCOG. Since
    they can't cost SCOG more legal fees, they may be able to cost them staff time,
    through a through examination. I can think of lots of colorful ways to describe
    the types of examination but in deference to PJ and the overall tone of Groklaw
    will not go there.

    ---
    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

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    Google Topics here
    Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 11:13 PM EST
    Post possible Darl googling topics here.

    I suggest:

    extradition laws
    "i lust for darl" (zero hits)

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    SCO's ... Motion to Compel Denied w/o Prejudice - Updated 3Xs
    Authored by: Dave23 on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 11:22 PM EST
    It seems that SCOG/BSF have been having difficulties drinking from the firehose
    that is the discovery they requested from IBM.

    Well, if one is vague and non-specific, one may be required to swallow Niagara
    Falls. And whose fault is that?

    Wells certainly shouldn't cut SCOG/BSF off if there really is something they
    need that hasn't been supplied to them; but she is certainly allowed to expect
    SCOG/BSF to know and understand what they've received -- particularly when IBM
    deponents/experts have attempted to explain it to them repeatedly. I think her
    decision is a reasonable one for the time-being. Particularly the 30-day limit:
    If SCOG/BSF can't get their act together by then, they are indeed hopeless.

    IANAL


    ---
    Gawker

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    It sounds as if the Judge invited them to do another motion to compel?
    Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 11:38 PM EST
    From the last part of the ruling its as if we can expect SCO to come back in 30
    days and say we need more. So we know for sure they will try again. It's
    almost if they *really* didn't lose the motion. Hate to say it but they can try
    again in 30 days, or am I missing something?

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    It's changed
    Authored by: Tufty on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 11:51 PM EST
    >
    Mark says they need IBM to provide someone to explain how they interpret their
    AIX licenses because they are so similar to SCO's license.
    <
    Now its copyright of licences

    Ohnowaitaminute
    If the licenses are so similar why do they need someone to explain it?

    >
    SCO's lawyers at deposition to explain and make sure they understood the
    production. SCO says IBM provided too much information. SCO asked, "How are
    they to interpret 23,000 pages?". IBM agreed to allow SCO to depose Mr.
    Sandy for another day and explained it all again. Todd says that IBM requested
    <

    and I thought their problem was that there was too little!

    >
    Judge Wells addressed how she has very little tolerence for poor communications
    between counsel.
    <

    Yowch, strike two!

    >
    Judge Wells asks, "How can I order IBM to produce documents that they say
    they have produced?" I don't recall Mark's reply.
    <

    Chris, court reporters are not supposed to ROFL and miss replies - :) -
    seriously though, nice work.

    >
    Judge Wells says they will recess while she deceides how to address the issue.
    <

    To cool off or stop laughing?

    Now what will SCO say to Kimble or will they learn from the last time?


    ---
    There has to be a rabbit down this rabbit hole somewhere!
    Now I want its hide.

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    SCO's Motion to Depose Denied; Motion to Compel Denied w/o Prejudice - Updated 3Xs
    Authored by: Steve Martin on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 11:53 PM EST

    Brent points out that Intel (based on Intel's motion) indicated they were aware of SCO's attempts in this matter since November.

    If this is indeed what Mr. Hatch said to Judge Wells, then it is indeed a mistruth, as nowhere in Intel's filing does the word "November" appear.

    ---
    "When I say something, I put my name next to it." -- Isaac Jaffee, "Sports Night"

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    Gregory Curtis?
    Authored by: sk43 on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 11:55 PM EST
    Anyone know which firm he is from? One would presume Cravath et al, since
    Marriott did not show up. Attempts to find him on the Cravath et al. website
    are stymied by a Flashplayer blockade.

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    We don't know what they gave us????
    Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, February 24 2006 @ 11:57 PM EST
    Okay hold the phone.

    Let me get this streight: The SCO Group after months(years) of claiming infractions and improper copying of SyS V code into Linux, asks for very broad discovery and get it. (i.e. whaling expidition) Then after having gotten almost every thing you asked for except the kitchen sink and the moon, have the nerve to say in open court that they don't understand what IBM gave them!

    I have cry foul and throw the yellow (or brown B.S.) flag on this one. I mean come on don't tell me you had the technical knowledge/expertiese to "discover" all these millions of line of code copying (after already providing lots of information freely to create open standards)and then not have the technical expertiese needed to analyze the all the many documents and code provided to you after having asked for it all.

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    "My brain hurts" -- Mr DP Gumby
    Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 12:10 AM EST
    TSG in front of Judge Wells;
    --quote--
    Todd responds, discussing the financial information production. He says that
    they spent four months, over 1,000 hours, collecting and providing to SCO more
    than 23,000 pages with summaries, overviews, & supporting information. IBM's
    Mr. Sandy spent over 300 hours preparing and spent a full day with SCO's lawyers
    at deposition to explain and make sure they understood the production. SCO says
    IBM provided too much information. SCO asked, "How are they to interpret
    23,000 pages?".
    --end-quote--

    "Miss, my brain's full. Can I go home?"
    -- Gary Larson, The Far Side

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    I despair ...
    Authored by: dkpatrick on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 12:22 AM EST
    Judge Wells says she doesn't tolerate poor communication between lawyers but the
    evidence is that she does. At any time she could have mailed SCO to the wall for
    their deliberate misinterpretation of the rulings but they've never been
    penalized. So where's the incentive for them to do any better? More to the
    point, they ARE showing contempt of court.

    And SCO has been told to show with specificity what they are asking for in 30
    days. IN 30 days they will produce some trash or not produce anything at all and
    IBM will be forced to make a motion which SCO can then rebut ... and on and on
    it goes.

    In my opinion the judges are continuing to let SCO have their head and like any
    child, SCO will continue to push for even more.

    With all due respect, how can this be viewed as justice?

    ---
    "Keep your friends close but your enemies closer!" -- Sun Tzu

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    Recording, notes, and Internet Access
    Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 01:15 AM EST
    I know that judges have discretion on what they allow in their courtrooms. I
    assume that Judge Wells disallows recording of the proceedings, leaving us
    Groklaw-ers to read Chris's great notes. (Thanks Chris!)
    But what are the limits of this prohibition? I assume that a spectator could
    take complete shorthand notes of every word said, a full (independent)
    transcription. So why not an audio (or even video) recording? Yes, there will
    be an official court transcript, but that may take time to appear.
    And, even if there will be an official transcript, would it not be a useful
    tactic for say IBM to pay a stenographer to take complete notes from the
    audience, giving IBM a full transcript immediately (I'm sure David Marriot would
    love to read it ASAP, and would likely memorize it in one pass). Even if that
    just gives IBM a few days advance transcript, surely the cost is minor and
    someone like David Mariott would love every edge he can get, especially if a
    loose end appeared that they could follow up imediately and not a week later.

    And finally, if Darl was typing away on a laptop during the hearing, and was
    -CONNECTED TO GOOGLE- that means there's an Internet connection in the
    courtroom! Is this only for use of the litigators? What would prevent a
    fast-typing spectator from giving a live transcription of the hearing to Groklaw
    as it happens?
    Would it be legal/ethical for a participant to email a colleague DURING the
    hearing, and receive a reply DURING the hearing?

    Just curious about courtroom protocols, limits, and information strategies.

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    SCO's Motion to Depose Denied; Motion to Compel Denied w/o Prejudice - Updated 3Xs
    Authored by: webster on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 01:27 AM EST
    .
    .
    1. This is just a bump in a long road. If these matters were so significant
    that SCO could neglect them and then bungle them, then they were doomed to
    denial. This saves a few parties a lot of trouble. It may undercut some
    arguments anticipated by SCO that are probably never going to be made.

    2. Things continue to go south for SCO. It is getting easier to deny them.
    They have lost credibility. But I will wait for the transcript.

    3. A new cast showed up to change their luck and bolster their credibility. I
    don't know if Darl was the one to do that. I think he wanted to make an
    appearance to defy all his critics and show that life in the cross hairs can
    appear to be normal. Can't wait for the transcript! I think he has been
    limping since SCO Forum with the coded Code.

    4. SCO is just going through the motions, literally and figuratively. They
    know they are going to lose. They are making mistakes because they think it
    eoesn't matter. They are right.

    5. They know what IBM has. Just the mountain of evidence that PJ has found has
    made their arguments untenable. It wasn't supposed to matter. Linux was being
    sued. And that was bad and risky. With overlength motions and mountains of
    discovery, no one would fathom the truth. No one would hear the child shout
    that the emperor had no clothes. But it is a new day. The old media cannot
    channel the millions of interested browsers to a few controlled sites. Pj's
    shout was heard and it gathered and spread the truth. We are lucky to
    participate.

    6. Poor Hatch. The transcript might help or hurt him. I think tha day was
    doomed, but he provided a dramatic hook with which the judge proceeded to hang
    him. Don't blame him for the loss. Give him credit for the drama and set up.
    In the heat of battle sometimes you kill your own.


    ---
    webster
    -----------Free China

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    The strangest thing is that Darl was there
    Authored by: jbb on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 02:48 AM EST
    I am amazed that the CEO of a company would choose to spend his time at this rather minor hearing. I would think that he has much better uses for his time. Even if he didn't have anything better to do, it doesn't make any sense to me that he would show up in this public hearing and thus demonstrate that he has nothing better to do. Even with all the things he's done, it is hard for me not to feel sorry for him. It seems very sad to me -- like King Lear slowly going insane after making some unwise, life altering decisions.

    As others have noted, it is also very interesting that no one from BSF was there. I've posted before that I think the best explanation for the very erratic behavior coming from the BSF/SCO camp is a rift that has developed between BSF and SCO. Darl's presence and BSF's absence at this hearing are another indication that SCO and BSF are just not getting along anymore.

    PS: You were right Dave23, but I just couldn't believe it was actually Darl until PJ confirmed it.

    ---
    Anyone who has the power to make you believe absurdities has the power to make you commit injustices.

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    SCO's Motion to Depose Denied; Motion to Compel Denied w/o Prejudice - Updated 3Xs
    Authored by: wharris on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 03:13 AM EST
    Judges, like politicians, are unable to admit "Oops, I made a
    mistake." But this is
    as close an apology as IBM will get for Wells' earlier ruling that SCO had been

    acting in good faith and IBM needed to turn over every version of AIX ever
    conceived of.

    I particularly liked how she looked straight at IBM and said that neither party

    would be able to use evidence in trial which they did not disclose during
    discovery. And I'm glad that she has noticed SCO's habit of misinterpreting
    court
    orders.

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    Utah's Deseret Morning News
    Authored by: chrisbrown on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 03:20 AM EST
    Brice Wallace of Utah's Deseret Morning News was present and filed this report: Judge rejects SCO motions in its lawsuit against IBM.

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    Was Darl's laptop running SCO OpenServer Desktop?
    Authored by: TAZ6416 on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 03:31 AM EST
    Pretty poor advert for a company if it's own CEO dosn't use their own products.

    Jonathan

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    3 comments stood out as related
    Authored by: globularity on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 04:32 AM EST
    Brent Hatch "He said that these third parties were aware of Judge Wells'
    October 12th order and were using a strict interpretation of it to delay the
    depositions such that they don't have to be done."

    Judge Wells asks "How can you interpret my order in any other way than how
    it was phrased?"

    Judge Wells "Her October 12th orders were clear, not subject to unilateral
    decisions to violate."

    I guess she only intended her october 12th order to be interpreted
    "strictly"

    Nice one SCOX, just admitting what they have demonstrated that they think the
    judges orders are meant to be interpreted loosly.

    Mark

    ---
    "It's all about myths and conceptions" I think that is what Darl meant to say.

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    It keeps getting better...
    Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 05:24 AM EST
    "Magistrate Wells supposes that the court orders and rules are for no other
    purpose than to be broken."

    Not happy with SCO, I'd say. Distinctly peeved. I can't wait to read the full
    transcript of this hearing.

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    I am reminded of Dante's Inferno
    Authored by: PeteS on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 07:11 AM EST
    and visualising the attorneys for SCOG having their own entrance to the
    courtroom with a sign

    "Abandon hope, all ye who enter here."

    The entire tone of this hearing (according to what we know - thanks guys!) was
    hardly to the benefit of the SCO cause, from what I discern.

    PeteS


    ---
    Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    Shut up! LOL
    Authored by: SilverWave on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 07:55 AM EST
    Shut up, Darl.
    Shut up, Darl.
    Shut up, Darl.
    Shut up, Darl.
    Shut up, Darl.
    Shut up, Darl.
    ...
    Shut up, Darl.
    Heh heh...
    Sorry but it sounds funnier each time :)



    ---
    "They [each] put in one hour of work,
    but because they share the end results
    they get nine hours... for free"

    Firstmonday 98 interview with Linus Torvalds

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    Where was Edward Normand?
    Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 08:27 AM EST
    He signed those subpoenas and did some of the motion practice, so he should have
    been at the hearing and tell what he was thinking and doing then.

    Judge Wells could have asked him some interesting questions. :-) Did he fear
    this?

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    • Signatures - Authored by: ak on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 08:58 AM EST
      • Signatures - Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 12:38 PM EST
        • Signatures - Authored by: PJ on Sunday, February 26 2006 @ 12:26 AM EST
    SCO's Motion to Depose Denied; Motion to Compel Denied w/o Prejudice - Updated 4Xs
    Authored by: blacklight on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 08:38 AM EST
    I note that this is the first time that SCOG is using the "We haven't had
    the time to press incoming discovery" response.

    I fully expect that SCOG will be arguing that IBM's PSJs are premature either
    because SCOG is still processing incoming discovery, or that SCOG has more
    demands for discovery in the pipeline.

    The good news is that SCOG's entire litigation strategy is based on gaming
    discovery, because the blindingly obvious reason is that SCOG has nothing else
    to work with.

    It does gets worse for SCOG: IBM has been asking judge Wells to order SCOG to
    release the substantiation for its allegations, with specificity. And to date,
    SCOG has not complied in any meaningful way and has gotten away with it, because
    judge Wells did not press hard enough for compliance with her orders. Now that
    it's IBM turn to demand discovery, IBM has now the opportunity to insist that
    SCOG comply with judge Wells' orders.


    ---
    Know your enemies well, because that's the only way you are going to defeat
    them. And know your friends even better, just in case they become your enemies.

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    SCO: the illusion of litigation
    Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 08:42 AM EST

    From the start, SCO has been talking past the court to a public audience, most
    likely Congress.

    SCO has only been pretending to litigate, to maintain the public deception that
    something is wrong with Linux.

    IBM, in the meantime, is beavering away behind the scenes preparing for the real
    litigation that is to come.

    SCO -- an illusion of litigation for an illusion of a company.

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    Please connect the dots for me.
    Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 09:55 AM EST
    Intel Calls SCO a Liar Can I presume that what Intel filed was considered in Judge Wells' decision? I didn't notice any reference to the document in the reports.

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    TSCOG Intends To Go Before A Jury With No Evidence ... And Win!
    Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 11:01 AM EST
    TSCOG realized back in January 2004 that they could not win legally. So,
    they changed their strategy for the fourth time (i.e., after scratching
    trade secrets/patents, copyright, or contracts, it became truckloads
    of evidence/briefcase/Wookie/looks like UNIX code/smells like UNIX/
    TSCOG owns you/we can beat these judges).

    TSCOG can win with no evidence before a local jury of their peers by
    out lying everyone. Without any legal evidence, it's just TSCOG's word
    against IBM's word. Remember Daryl thinks big, really big, bigger wins.

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    SCO's recent stategy.
    Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 11:46 AM EST

    Re: IBM's 340,000? latest documents, Intel, Oracle and The OpenGroup

    SCO want to drown themselves in a mountain of irrelevent paperwork, some of which(code on bits of a 1990 mainframe which has been broken up and shipped around, paperwork from what was a small outfit in the UK, X/Open - Open Group) could take months to obtain and even longer to digest.

    ISTM SCOG and BSF don't want to move on past the discovery stage of this case.

    They are playing the small firm versus the giants for all it is worth.

    I expect IBM to get relatively timely responses to their discovery requests from Intel, Oracle and HP. They are trying to move on from the Itanic/64bit Windoze plot and are probably already resigned to the hand smack they will receive from the Microsoft anti-trust case Judge although Intel have some anti-trust problems of their own to deal with.

    IMHO SCO's faulty subpoena requests were at best an attempt to delay procedure, at worse an attemt to uncover some of the information which IBM will obtain from those companies.

    Armed with this information and a delay in procedure, the organisers of the SCOG scam can attempt to cover their tracks. Targetted shredding and alternate theories.

    :)

    BSF's tactics have changed, but they no longer seek eveidence which they know is not there, they seek to delay the inevitable whilst the guilty parties attempt to make good their escape.

    Just in my honest opinion - unless the Court stays on top of this, we may as well go back 2 years.

    Brian S.

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    Mr. James wants IBM to interpret AIX license language
    Authored by: AllParadox on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 12:52 PM EST
    "Mr. James wants IBM documents and depositions as to the corporation's
    opinion on the language in AIX and Dynix licenses. Some language is simmilar to
    SCO's license. How do they interpret the language?"

    Mr. James actually said this in open court.

    Dang.

    You only paid to look at the cards, Scooter. Lessons cost extra.

    From the legal viewpoit, the words of a license or contract speak for
    themselves. If there is a context that will change the meaning of a vague term,
    then it may be considered in evidence. Otherwise, the plain meaning rules.

    You never ask the other side to provide a legal explanation for the
    interpretation of their contract. Never, never, never.

    Every accredited law school I have ever heard of teaches you not to ask for this
    in court, and why.

    IMHO, this is something most traffic ticket lawyers know not to ask.

    I am beginning to understand why this case is such an unpredictable disaster.
    IMO, it is becoming clear that these folks are just way out of their league.


    ---
    PJ deletes insult posts, not differences of opinion.

    AllParadox; retired lawyer and chief Groklaw iconoclast. No legal opinions,
    just my opinion.

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    At least he wasn't picking his nose
    Authored by: DaveJakeman on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 01:40 PM EST
    Or flicking rubber bands around the courtroom.

    Sorry PJ, I just couldn't concentrate after reading that bit.

    ---
    SCO: hunting for snarks in an ocean of sharks
    ---
    Should one hear an accusation, first look to see how it might be levelled at the
    accuser.

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    Judge Wells catches SCO lying in *HER* courtroom
    Authored by: DaveJakeman on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 02:55 PM EST
    Wells: "Did you say you were aware of your desire to depose Intel since
    November?"

    Hatch: "Yes."

    Judge Wells follows up with something to the effect that if SCO was aware since
    November they should have had enough time to properly notice them.

    Brent replied that they did (referring to the Jan. 12th notice).

    Marks disputed SCO's "45 day" figure they claim Intel had been aware
    of the subpoena. Mr. Marks personally handled it and said that subpoena in
    November was for a different subject, for specific documents, which Intel
    responded to 45 days or more ago. He says that SCO's assertions "were
    offensive to (him)". [Is he saying: liar, liar, pants on fire?]

    So, when Hatch answered "Yes", he should, strictly speaking, have
    answered "No, your Honor, not with regard to that particular subpoena, the
    subpoena first correctly served on 26th January, 2006." That would have
    been the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Instead, he
    answered "Yes", meaning: yes, I was aware of my desire to depose Intel
    in November, for specific documents on a different subject (your honor).

    But I don't think Wells was fooled. That's why, at the end of the hearing, when
    Judge Wells said "NO", they heard it in Tennessee ;)

    Well, that's my take, anyway.

    ---
    SCO: hunting for snarks in an ocean of sharks
    ---
    Should one hear an accusation, first look to see how it might be levelled at the
    accuser.

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    IBM's 2nd computer to BSF
    Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 03:11 PM EST
    Can IBM request the logs of the computer that they send the second time to BSF?
    Can they determine if *ANY* attempts at using the computer have been done? I
    suspect it would be very hard for BSF to defend against "We need all
    this" and then several months later be shown to never have used it.

    Can IBM request the source code (AND CVS repositories) of SCO for all of their
    code and do the comparison themselves?

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    SCO's Motion to Depose Denied; Motion to Compel Denied w/o Prejudice - Updated 4Xs
    Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 03:54 PM EST
    "That SCO has 30 days to renew and MUST clearly and narrowly define
    documents required. There are questions asked and Judge Wells further
    clarifies that that applies to both the January production and the currently
    pending motion to compel." So what I hear is that they get more discovery.

    The door isn't closed yet. How many times have we heard this type of thing?

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    Boyce
    Authored by: alansz on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 04:16 PM EST
    Well, somebody at SCO finally took the hint that referencing Judge Boyce's
    opinions might be worth something, eh?

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    It IS about copyrights and contracts.
    Authored by: arch_dude on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 04:20 PM EST
    <SILLY>
    All along, we have completely misunderstood TSG's cause of action. But now we
    know. TSG now tells us that IBM's AIX contracts are "substantiallay
    similar" to the original AT&T contracts. Since TSG claims to be the
    successor in interest to AT&T with respect to the contracts, TSG is the
    defacto owner of the copyright on the language of the contract itself. When IBM
    used substantially similar language, methods, and concepts to produce the AIX
    contracts, they stole TSG's valuable intellectual property!
    </SILLY>

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    misappropriated source code
    Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 04:22 PM EST
    >Yes, SCO has found misappropriated source code. Mr. James
    >mentions something about filing something under seal.

    That begs the question, why under seal? Why not file those
    examples in the open, so everybody can see that SCO is right?

    My guess is that SCO is afraid of *us*. They are afraid that
    Growlaw readers and Linux developers will do IBM's work for
    free and will shoot down those claims.

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    My 2p
    Authored by: DaveJakeman on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 06:30 PM EST
    Notice the blip in the SCOX share price a bit before 4pm?

    ---
    SCO: hunting for snarks in an ocean of sharks
    ---
    Should one hear an accusation, first look to see how it might be levelled at the
    accuser.

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    Googling Darl
    Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 07:59 PM EST
    > Why did Darl go to court?

    My *guess* is that it is about time to make a decision.
    There are two ways to go:
    1) Rational, AKA damage control. Decide that there is not
    enough evidence to win anything. Raise a white flag and ask
    IBM to give SCO generous surrender conditions. Yes, the
    hole will still be pretty deep, but at least SCO will
    stop digging.

    2) Hold the fort, continue to fight, wait for a miracle.

    Darl was in court to see, by himself, the mood of the court
    and the mood of the crowd. A decision will probably be
    made withing a couple of weeks.

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    30 days for subpoenas?
    Authored by: achurch on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 08:25 PM EST

    Is it just me, or does this not bode well for the flurry of subpoenas IBM launched a few days ago? It seems to me any of the parties who didn't want to answer could just use Judge Wells' argument that 30 days' notice is required against IBM. (Not wanting to respond to a subpoena? Heaven forbid . . .)

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    How McBride can Google in Court
    Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 08:35 PM EST
    How McBride can Google in Court.

    The question was raised about internet connectivity in the courthouse and how
    this was possible. Well I have done a little looking about and here is the
    answer. There is a nice company here that provides internet access to all of
    our Libraries and most of main street in Salt Lake City. This wonderful company
    is called Xmission and guess what?

    They do this all with Linux.

    I do not have a laptop computer so I had no way of knowing if the free internet
    service that Xmission supplies to Main Street in Salt Lake City would make it
    all the way down to the courthouse. So what is a geek to do. One must go
    looking for answers.

    So here is the web page about the Main Street wireless service for Salt Lake
    City.

    http://www.slcwireless.com/

    Here is the page detailing the Linux applications used and the hardware used. I
    found this most interesting. It looks like Pebble Linux a Debian derivative is
    the distribution of choice. If you want to know what hardware is used this page
    lists it all. It made my heart jump just looking at the list of equipment.

    http://www.slcwireless.com/software.html

    And here it is the photo of the actual equipment sending out the free internet
    connectivity and if you look to the left you will see the courthouse. Yes the
    grey white building on the left is the District Court. You can not get a clean
    look because the antenna blocks most of the view.

    http://images.slcwireless.com/cgi-bin/img.cgi?uid=57147a908ad03904db60&size=
    640

    So the mystery is solved. I am sure it would have been much easier for someone
    with a laptop.

    cxd








    [ Reply to This | # ]

    Inadequate service
    Authored by: AllParadox on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 09:34 PM EST
    Shaughnessy: "Subpoenas cannot be faxed but must be served in
    person."

    When can you ignore a subpoena? When you didn't get served with it. Very
    specifically, a fax to a generic law office fax machine does not count.

    For Federal Courts, a process server is a Federal Marshall, or a Deputy Federal
    Marshall, or a specially appointed process server (Fed.R.Civ.Proc. Rule 4.1
    (a)).

    "Service" means that a proper process server physically delivers the
    document, here a subpoena, to the recipient. Actual physical skin contact is
    not necessary, just convenient.

    The subpoenas from "The SCO Group" were not improperly served on
    January 12, 2006. They were not served at all. A fax to the wrong fax machine
    does not even count as an improper service.

    This soap opera continues to be so sad, and so embarrassing to the legal
    profession.

    ---
    PJ deletes insult posts, not differences of opinion.

    AllParadox; retired lawyer and chief Groklaw iconoclast. No legal opinions,
    just my opinion.

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    methods and concepts
    Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 10:20 PM EST
    If "methods and concepts" are still in play in this drama, then let me
    float this past everyone. Ignore it it you think I am a troll, or that I am way
    off base. Or Both.

    Could M$ win anything from this case if the "methods and concepts"
    ideas gets thrown out?

    I give you dotnot, and the way that it is implemented. HTML screen with VB
    background program. What is CICS? A screen map with a program behind it.
    Okay, you may say, CICS was 24 x80 and HTML is 'unlimited'. Dotnot is event
    driven, and CICS was not. well, Event drive means that there is a transparent
    layer over the event code, something interperts the button/etal attributes and
    the associated procedure. Put that back into the program and you have what we
    did in CICS.

    So, do you hope "methods and concepts" gets so that IBM can go at M$
    for "m&c's"????

    I have always thought that webpages in general CICSish and dotnot push the
    envelop.

    wb

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    • You seem confused. - Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 11:50 PM EST
    • methods and concepts - Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, February 26 2006 @ 09:06 AM EST
    • we all win - Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, February 26 2006 @ 09:15 AM EST
    ? Case Law: "Kuperics case" / "1991 Cooperige(?) case" ?
    Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 10:50 PM EST
    --

    Chris Brown reports SCO is relying on the "Kuperics case" - where
    ""lawyers messed up big" but eventually served the subpoena 15
    minutes *after* depo time. The court found it sufficient because the deponent
    was fully aware of the depo time."

    Justin Findlay calls it "a 1991 Cooperige(?) case" - "where a the
    court ruled a subpoena served 15 minutes after the time scheduled was valid
    although the party served took counsel and rejected the subpoena on technical
    grounds."

    So the questionZ are: What is the case that SCO is relying on? How on point is
    it? Are the fact patterns the same (especially given Wells' orders on
    discovery)?

    Me thinks SCO has been known to s-t-r-e-t-c-h 'things' a wee bit in the past.

    --

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    A Slap to SCOg's face
    Authored by: darkonc on Saturday, February 25 2006 @ 11:27 PM EST
    Judge Wells also asked SCO if they have found, after all the discovery provided by IBM, any evidence of source-code misappropriation by IBM [--] or do they need more.

    Now, am I the only person to get that as a hilarious backhanded slap to SCO's case?

    I'm just glad that I wasn't in court for this hearing. I would have probably been forced to sit next to Darl for laughing so hard.

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

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    SCO's Motion to Depose Denied; Motion to Compel Denied w/o Prejudice - Updated 5
    Authored by: montana on Sunday, February 26 2006 @ 12:09 AM EST
    Add webster to the list.

    ---
    Oro Y Plata

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    You can't say things like that on Groklaw
    Authored by: PJ on Sunday, February 26 2006 @ 12:16 AM EST
    It's not acceptable to make accusations on Groklaw
    without evidence. I looked at the SCOX materials
    someone left a link to, and it's not proof to
    me.

    You may be right. But what you are relying on is
    not evidence, so you can't say what you tried to
    say on Groklaw.

    This is maybe the time to say this: Yahoo SCOX folks
    sometimes find valuable materials. But evaluating it
    accurately is lacking. I wouldn't personally rely on
    what I read there, absent solid evidence to back
    it up. I have also seen a lack of simple kindness.

    Let me explain, so this is concstructive. It's
    one thing to think you've found something. It's
    another to prove it. If you claim something as a
    fact before you have evidence to back your claim,
    you can do damage to people's reputations unfairly,
    and that is never acceptable. I don't care who the
    person is. Darl McBride is a human being. He
    is therefore entitled to the same respectful
    treatment that we would want ourselves. What he
    says and does is fair game to analyze and write
    about and disprove. But I don't want anyone
    to use Groklaw for cheap shots at any fellow
    human being. That isn't anything new. Please
    read our comments policy and abide by it, because
    I do remove memberships when I feel I must. I
    feel confident that it won't be necessary here, and
    that it's just a matter of acclimating to a
    different environment. Thank you for your
    effort to apply our policy to your comments.

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    340,000 boxes?
    Authored by: DaveJakeman on Sunday, February 26 2006 @ 10:56 AM EST
    I knew IBM would bury SCO one way or another.

    :)

    ---
    SCO: hunting for snarks in an ocean of sharks
    ---
    Should one hear an accusation, first look to see how it might be levelled at the
    accuser.

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    possible motive for angering the judge?
    Authored by: dcf on Sunday, February 26 2006 @ 12:26 PM EST
    What if SCO is deliberately annoying Judge Wells? Maybe SCO wants to provoke
    her into a ruling which they could later argue was a reversible error.

    Obviously, the risk of such a strategy would be that while trying to create an
    issue for appeal, you could jeopardize your initial trial. However, if the
    discovery you are denied is not really relevant, but you can later argue on
    appeal that it was, then you might still come out ahead.

    Or maybe SCO hopes Wells or Kimball might say something injudicious so they
    could later argue prejudice on appeal. I'm just thinking about how Judge Thomas
    Penfield Jackson's rulings against Microsoft were overturned on the grounds that
    his interviews with the New York Times were improper.

    Of course, SCO has looked clueless throughout the whole affair, so probably the
    latest bungling and overreaching is just more of the same.

    [ Reply to This | # ]

    SCO's Unprepared Deponent(s)
    Authored by: ahinds on Monday, February 27 2006 @ 04:05 PM EST
    "Shaughnessy: IBM spent months collecting documents re: finances and
    produced 23,000 pages with summaries and indicies. SCO spent one day in deposing
    IBM's witness – didn't ask much about information provided. SCO requested a
    second day – IBM allowed. SCO complained that there was too much information and
    wasted a second day-long deposition. In contrast SCO's Mr. Hunsaker (?) spent
    less than an hour preparing for his deposition and most of his responses were
    "I don't know", you should really ask Mr. X. When asked if he spoke to
    Mr. X, replied "No". IBM's witness (in preparation) spent 300 hours
    and talked to 80 people."

    Is this not a discovery abuse? SCO sends a witness to a deposition that can only
    respond "I don't know". Imagine what SCO would cry if IBM did that. I
    wonder how often SCO has tried this technique? If they are allowed to get away
    with this gambit, IBM will learn little in its depositions.

    I wonder why IBM didn't complain at greater length, to prod a comment from the
    judge about the bad-faith practise. From the accounts, the abuse didn't even
    make an impression on the judge.

    [ Reply to This | # ]

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