Here's the Declaration
of Michael J. DeFazio [PDF] as text, one of the 597
exhibits presented in support for IBM's current summary judgment
motions. If you look on the chart of exhibits, you'll see that
this Declaration is being used to support two summary judgment
motions: This was one
of the declarations originally submitted
by IBM in support of its Motion
for Partial Summary Judgment on SCO's breach of contract claims
two years ago [here's the Memorandum
in Support]. That motion was one of the ones affected by Judge
Kimball's decision
in February of 2005 not to decide any dispositive motions until
after discovery was complete, at which point IBM was free to try
again. Discovery is complete. So, two years later, here comes IBM
with Mr. DeFazio's Declaration again, but this time the court will
entertain the motion. When originally filed, it was attached as an
exhibit to docket number 235. And here it is again, attached to
docket number 835. A lot has happened in the 600 or so filings in
the interim. What hasn't changed, according to IBM, is this: SCO
made claims that it can't prove.
There is no evidence, IBM
tells the court, to back up SCO's illusory contract claims that IBM
took confidential System V code and put it into Linux. The Motion
for Summary Judgment on SCO's Copyright Claims, which relates to
SCO's purported "termination" of IBM's AIX and Dynix/ptx licenses, is
equally blunt: Because IBM did not shut down its AIX and
Dynix businesses based on SCO's purported termination of IBM's
rights, SCO amended its complaint to assert a claim against IBM for
copyright infringement. SCO alleges that IBM has infringed and is
infringing SCO's alleged UNIX System V copyrights by continuing the
business in which it has been engaged for more than two decades, and
that SCO is therefore entitled to billions of dollars in
damages. The DeFazio Declaration is in support of
both IBM motions for summary judgment.
He was the "head of the
organization responsible for product management, marketing and
licensing terms and conditions for the Unix System V operating system
from 1984 until 1995" first with AT&T, then with USL, and
finally with Novell. That means he was Otis Wilson's boss at
AT&T and "the head of the overall AT&T organization
responsible for the UNIX software, including product management,
marketing and licensing", so he's the top person, qualified to tell
the court what license rights were intended by AT&T and USL and
Novell.
Here's part of what IBM tried to tell the court two years ago in that first motion for partial summary judgment: Each of SCO’s four breach of contract claims against IBM relate to the UNIX System V licenses entered into by IBM and Sequent Computer Systems, Inc. (a company acquired by IBM in 1999) with AT&T. These licenses are in the form of a “Software Agreement”, which sets forth the terms under which UNIX System V source code can be used and disclosed, and a “Sublicensing Agreement”, which sets forth the terms under which software based on UNIX System V code can be distributed.
Although SCO for months has claimed that it had evidence IBM took confidential source code from UNIX System V and “dumped” it into Linux, it has become clear that SCO has no such evidence. Instead, SCO’s claims that IBM breached its agreements with AT&T depend entirely on the allegation that IBM improperly contributed certain of IBM’s original source code, contained in its own AIX and Dynix operating systems (each of which consists of millions of lines of source code), to Linux. According to SCO, because AIX and Dynix allegedly contain some small component of source code from UNIX System V, IBM is prohibited by its licensing agreements from disclosing any of the other millions of lines in code in AIX or Dynix, even if that code was created by or for IBM and contains no UNIX System V code.
SCO is wrong as a matter of law, and IBM is entitled to partial summary judgment on SCO’s contract claims, for at least two independent reasons.
First, the AT&T agreements upon which SCO’s claims are based do not preclude IBM from using and disclosing source code that is written by IBM and does not include UNIX System V code (referred to herein as “homegrown” code)...
Second, even if the AT&T agreements could be read to preclude the disclosure of homegrown code, any breach based upon such a reading has been waived by Novell, Inc. (“Novell”) on behalf of SCO, and by SCO itself:
And now, in the new
motion, IBM says essentially the same thing, and more, only instead
of complaining that "for months" SCO has been claiming it had
evidence that it turns out it didn't have, the new motion says SCO
has been claiming it "for years" and it still has no such evidence
now that discovery is complete. From that standpoint, it's been a
wasted two years: For years, SCO perpetuated the illusion that it had evidence that IBM took confidential source code (including methods and concepts) from UNIX System V and"dumped" it into Linux. However, SCO does not have -- and never has had -- any such evidence. SCO has not identified any UNIX System V source code (including methods or concepts) that IBM is alleged to have contributed to Linux. Nor has SCO identified any modification or derivative work of UNIX System V that IBM is alleged to have contributed to Linux. It is undisputed and indisputable that IBM has not contributed to Linux any UNIX System V source code (including methods or concepts) or any modification or derivative work of UNIX System V. To the extent that IBM has contributed source code, methods, and concepts to Linux, those contributions have been original or homegrown IBM works or the works of third parties other than SCO created independent of UNIX System V.
SCO's contract claims thus turn on the proposition that the Agreements somehow give SCO the right to control IBM's and others' original works. SCO argues that IBM's AIX and Dynix/ptx ("Dynix") products, which are comprised of many tens of millions of lines of source code and are indisputably owned by IBM, include some UNIX System V material and are therefore modifications and derivative works of UNIX System V. According to SCO, the Agreements forbid IBM from contributing its own original works to Linux if they were ever part of AIX or Dynix. SCO further claims that any IBM representative who worked in AIX or Dynix is forbidden from working on Linux.
The DeFazio Declaration is used to support the following points in the current motion regarding contracts claims:
13. Mr. Wilson reported to Michael DeFazio, who was then the head of the overall
AT&T organization responsible for the UNIX software, including product management,
marketing and licensing. (See Ex. 182 ¶ 1.) As head of the organization, Mr. DeFazio had
ultimate responsibility for the terms and conditions of AT&T's UNIX licensing agreements.
(See id. ¶¶ 6-7.)...
19. As Messrs. Wilson, DeFazio, and Frasure understood and discussed the
provisions with licensees, they do not and were not intended to, restrict a licensee's right to use,
export, disclose or transfer its own products and source code, so long as the licensee did not use,
export disclose or transfer AT&T's UNIX System V source code along with it. AT&T's
software agreements were not intended to place any restrictions on licensees' use of their own
original work. (Ex. 282 ¶ 12; Ex. 182 ¶ 17; Ex. 189 ¶¶ 14-16.)
20. AT&T's standard software agreements granted licensees the right to modify
UNIX System V source code and to prepare derivative works based upon the code. Section 2.01
of AT&T's early software agreement included the following language:
Such right to use includes the right to modify such SOFTWARE PRODUCT and to
prepare derivative works based on such, SOFTWARE PRODUCT provided the resulting
materials are treated hereunder as part of the original SOFTWARE PRODUCT.
(Ex. 281 ¶ 13; Ex. 182 ¶ 16; Ex. 189 ¶ 15; Ex. 190 ¶ 14.)
21. As Messrs. Wilson, DeFazio, Frasure and other AT&T representatives
communicated to AT&T's licensees, this provision was only intended to ensure that if a licensee
were to create a modification or derivative work based on UNIX System V, any material portion
of the original UNIX System V source code provided by AT&T or USL that was included in the
modification or derivative work would remain subject to the confidentiality and other restrictions
of the software agreement. Any source code developed by or for a licensee and included in a modification or a derivative work would not constitute "resulting materials" to be treated as part
of the original software product, except for any material proprietary UNIX System V source
code provided by AT&T or USL and included therein. (Ex. 282 ¶ 14; Ex. 182 ¶ 16; Ex. 190 ¶
14.)
22. AT&T and USL did not intend to assert ownership or control over modifications
and derivative works prepared by licensees, except to the extent of the original UNIX System V
source code included in such modifications and derivative works. Although the UNIX System V
source code contained in a modification or derivative work continued to be owned by AT&T or
USL, the code developed by or for the licensee remained the property of the licensee, and could
therefore be used, exported, disclosed or transferred freely by the licensee. (Ex. 282 ¶ 15; Ex.
182 ¶ 17; Ex. 190 ¶ 16.)
23. Messrs. Wilson, DeFazio, Frasure and other AT&T representatives did not
believe that licensees would have been willing to enter into the software agreement if they had
understood Section 2.01 to grant AT&T or USL the right to own or control source code
developed by the licensee or provided to the licensee by a third party. They understood that
many of AT&T's licensees invested substantial amounts of time, effort and creativity in
developing products based on UNIX System V, and they did not intend Section 2.01 to
appropriate for AT&T the technology developed by AT&T's licensees. (Ex. 282 ¶ 16; Ex. 182 ¶
17; Ex. 190 ¶ 29.)
24. Some licensees sought to clarify that, under the agreements, the licensee, not
AT&T or USL, would own and control modifications and derivative works prepared by or for
the licensee (except for any original UNIX System V source code provided by AT&T or USL and included therein). Messrs. Wilson, DeFazio, Frasure, and other AT&T representatives
provided such clarification when asked because that is what they understood the language in the
standard software agreement to mean. In some cases, they provided this clarification orally. In
other cases, they provided it in writing, such as in a side letter. (Ex. 282 ¶ 17; Ex. 182 ¶ 18; Ex.
189 ¶ 14; Ex, 190 ¶¶ 17-18.)...
43. Messrs. Wilson, Frasure and DeFazio understood that neither IBM nor Sequent
would have entered into the proposed UNIX licensing agreements if AT&T had sought and
insisted on the right to control any product or code that might in the future be associated with
UNIX System V code, except insofar as it might include UNIX System V code. (Ex. 182 ¶ 17;
Ex. 190 ¶ 29; Ex. 282 ¶ 16.) No one involved in the negotiation of the Agreements ever
suggested that they would give AT&T (or anyone else other than IBM or Sequent) the right to control IBM or Sequent original code. (Ex. 178 ¶¶ 11-12; Ex. 228 ¶ 19; Ex. 233 ¶ 9; Ex. 252 ¶
7; Ex. 266 ¶ 10.)...
45. The AT&T negotiators agreed to provide IBM with a side letter, including,
among other things, a most-favored customer provision, but stated that a side letter was not
necessary because, among other reasons, AT&T did not wish to assert ownership or control over
any modifications and derivative works prepared by or for IBM, or by any other of AT&T's
licensees for that matter, except to the extent that those portions of the modifications or
derivative works contained licensed UNIX System V source code. (Ex. 178 ¶ 16; Ex. 228 ¶¶ 13-14; Ex. 233 ¶¶ 12-13; Ex. 182 ¶¶ 18, 20; Ex. 189 ¶¶ 14-16; Ex. 281 ¶ 17.)
46. AT&T made clear that -- side letter or not -- AT&T intended to treat all of its
licensees the same. Messrs, Wilson, DeFazio Frasure, Kistenberg, and Vuksanovich intended to
hold all licensees to the same, basic standard. AT&T's stated policy was to treat all of its
licensees essentially the same. (Ex. 182 ¶¶ 18, 20; Ex. 189 ¶¶ 14-16; Ex. 217 ¶¶ 21-22; Ex. 275
¶¶ 26-27; Ex. 281 ¶ 17.) All were free to do as they wished with their original or homegrown works, so long as they protected AT&T's UNIX software. (See Ex. 182 ¶ 18; Ex. 190 ¶ 26; Ex.
217 ¶ 12; Ex.275 ¶ 29; Ex.282 ¶ 28.)...
50. The IBM Agreements and the Sequent Agreements (collectively "the
Agreements") set forth the terms under which UNIX System V could be used
and disclosed by them and under which they could distribute software programs "based on"
UNIX System V. (Ex. 119; Ex. 492; Ex. 282 ¶ 6; Ex. 182 ¶ 15.)...
54. The IBM Side Letter clarified Section 2.01 as follows:
Regarding Section 2.01, we agree that that modifications and derivative works
prepared by or for [IBM] are owned by [IBM]. However, ownership of any
portion or portions of SOFTWARE PROOUCTS included in any such
modification or derivative work remains with [AT&T].
(Ex. 122 at 2; Ex. 282 ¶¶ 19-20; Ex. 189 ¶ 14; Ex. 182 ¶ 18; Ex. 275 ¶¶ 15-16; Ex. 228 ¶¶ 13-14;
Ex. 178 ¶¶ 13-16; Ex. 233 ¶¶ 10-13.) This language clarified that IBM (like all AT&T licensees)
owned and controlled its original or homegrown works. (Ex. 282 ¶¶ 19-20; Ex. 189 ¶ 14;
Ex. 182 ¶ 18; Ex. 275 ¶¶ 15-16; Ex. 228 ¶¶ 13-14; Ex. 178 ¶¶ 13-16; Ex. 233 ¶¶ 10-13.)...
57. All of the individuals who executed and negotiated the Agreements, as well as
Mr. DeFazio, who had ultimate responsibility for them (collectively, the "Involved Persons"),
agree that the Agreements were not intended to, and do not, restrict in any manner the use or
disclosure of any original code written by, or for, IBM and Sequent. (See Ex. 178 ¶ 18; Ex. 182
¶¶ 17-18; Ex. 189 ¶¶ 13-16, 24-29; Ex. 217 ¶ 9; Ex. 228 ¶¶ 11-19; Ex. 233 ¶ 9; Ex. 252 ¶¶ 7-9;
Ex. 266 ¶ 8; Ex. 275 ¶ 12; Ex. 282 ¶¶ 14-15, 27-30.)
58. None of the Involved Persons understood the Agreements to give AT&T or its
successors the right to assert ownership or control over all of the source code of any
modifications or derivative works based on UNIX System V. To the contrary, they understood
that IBM and Sequent owned, and were permitted to use however they wanted, any
modifications or derivative works that they created (or that others created for them) based on
UNIX System V software except for the UNIX System V material that might be contained
within their modifications or derivative works. (See Ex. 178 ¶ 17; Ex. 182 ¶ 20; Ex. 190 ¶¶
14-15; Ex. 217 ¶¶ 10-11; Ex. 228 ¶¶ 13, 15; Ex. 233 ¶¶ 8-9; Ex. 252
¶ 7; Ex. 266 ¶¶ 10-12; Ex. 275 ¶ 13; Ex. 282 ¶ 15.)
59. As the Involved Persons understood the Agreements, they impose no restrictions
on IBM's or Sequent's use, export, disclosure or transfer of those portions of any modifications
or derivative works of UNIX System V that were created by or for IBM or Sequent and do not
contain any UNIX System V source code. (See Ex. 178 ¶ 18; Ex. 182 ¶ 18; Ex. 190 ¶ 24; Ex.
217 ¶ 12; Ex. 228 ¶ 16; Ex. 233 ¶ 6; Ex. 252 ¶ 18; Ex. 266 ¶ 12; Ex. 275 ¶ 12; Ex. 282 ¶ 27.)
Under the Agreements, IBM and Sequent are free to use however they want any AIX or Dynix source code, except for the UNIX System V source code or other licensed software products
provided by AT&T that may be contained therein (except as otherwise permitted by the AT&T
Agreements). (See Ex. 178 ¶ 19; Ex. 182 ¶ 18; Ex. 190 ¶ 26; Ex. 217 ¶ 12; Ex. 228 ¶ 15; Ex.
233 ¶ 14; Ex. 252 ¶ 13; Ex. 266 ¶ 13; Ex. 275 ¶ 29; Ex. 282 ¶ 28.)
60. According to the Involved Persons, SCO's theory of the case -- that IBM has
breached the Agreements by improperly using, exporting, disclosing or transferring AIX and
Dynix source code, irrespective of whether IBM has improperly used, exported, disclosed or
transferred any protected UNIX System V source code -- is inconsistent with the provisions of
the Agreements and with the parties' intentions. (See Ex. 178 ¶ 21; Ex. 182 ¶ 31; Ex. 190 ¶ 27;
Ex. 217 ¶ 24; Ex. 228 ¶ 17; Ex. 233 ¶ 16; Ex. 275 ¶ 30; Ex. 282 ¶ 29; Ex. 310 at 116:18-118:4.)
The Agreements were not intended to limit IBM's or Sequent's freedom of action with respect to
their original source code, methods, or concepts and were intended merely to protect AT&T's
interest in its own UNIX System V source material. (See Ex. 178 ¶ 22; Ex. 182 ¶ 22; Ex. 190 ¶
12; Ex. 228 ¶ 18; Ex. 233 ¶ 17; Ex. 276 ¶ 3; Ex. 282 ¶ 12; Ex. 310 at 80:15-19, 117:14-118:4;
124:12-21.)
61. Section 2.01 of the Software Agreements, as understood by the Involved Persons,
was only intended to ensure that if a licensee were to create a modification or derivative work
based on UNIX System V, any material portion of the original UNIX System V source code
provided by AT&T or USL that was included in the modification or derivative work would
remain subject to the confidentiality and other restrictions of the software agreement (See Ex.
178 ¶ 11; Ex. 182 ¶ 16; Ex. 190 ¶ 14; Ex. 228 ¶ 12; Ex. 233 ¶ 8; Ex. 282 ¶ 14; Ex. 584 at 176:2-
18; Ex. 310 at 30:17-31:5.) Any source code developed by or for a licensee and included in a modification or a derivative work would not constitute "resulting materials" to be treated as part
of the original software product, except for any material proprietary UNIX System V source
code provided by AT&T or USL and included therein. (See Ex. 178 ¶ 11; Ex. 182 ¶ 16; Ex. 190
¶ 14; Ex. 217 ¶ 11; Ex. 228 ¶ 12; Ex. 233 ¶ 8; Ex. 252 ¶ 7; Ex. 282 ¶ 14; Ex. 584 at 173:3-174:8.)
62. None of the Involved Persons intended the Agreement to permit AT&T and USL
to assert ownership or control over modifications and derivative works prepared by licensees,
except to the extent of the original UNIX System V source code included in such modifications
and derivative woks. (See Ex. 178 ¶ 15;Ex. 182 ¶ 20; Ex. 190 ¶¶ 14-15; Ex. 217 ¶ 22; Ex. 228
¶ 13; Ex. 233 ¶ 8; Ex. 252 ¶ 7; Ex. 266 ¶ 10; Ex. 275 ¶ 27; Ex. 282 ¶ 15.) They intended that the
code developed by or for the licensee would remain the property of the licensee, and could
therefore be used, exported, disclosed or transferred freely by the licensee. (See Ex. 178 ¶ 18;
Ex. 182 ¶ 20; Ex. 190 ¶¶ 14-15; Ex. 217 ¶ 23; Ex. 228 ¶ 15; Ex. 233 ¶ 9; Ex. 252 ¶¶ 8-9; Ex. 266
¶¶ 10, 12; Ex. 275 ¶ 27; Ex. 282 ¶ 15.)
63. Whether or not AT&T entered into a side letter or other agreements with its
licensees to clarify the treatment of modifications and derivative works, or altered the language
of Section 2.01, AT&T's and USL's intent was always the same. It never intended to assert
ownership or control over any portion of a modification or derivative work that was not part of
the original UNIX System V source code provided by AT&T or USL. The licensee was free to
use, copy, distribute or disclose its modifications and derivative works, provided that it did not
use, copy, distribute or disclose any portions of the original UNIX System V source code provided by AT&T or USL except as permitted by the license agreements. (See Ex. 182 ¶ 20;
Ex. 190 ¶ 24; Ex. 217 ¶ 22; Ex. 275 ¶ 27; Ex. 282 ¶ 27.)...
68. This change was not intended to alter the meaning of the software agreements, but
was meant only to clarify the original intent of Section 2.01. AT&T intended only to make clear
to its licensees that AT&T, and later USL, did not claim any right to the licensees' original work
contained in modifications or derivatives of UNIX System V. (See Ex. 182 ¶ 20; Ex. 190 ¶ 21;
Ex. 217 ¶ 18; Ex. 275 ¶ 22; Ex. 282 ¶ 24.)...
84. Some licensees sought to clarify that, under the agreements, they, not AT&T or
USL, would own and control modifications and derivative works prepared by or for the licensees
(except for any original UNIX System V source code provided by AT&T or USL and included
therein). (Ex. 182 ¶ 18; Ex. 189 ¶ 17; Ex. 275 ¶¶ 15-17; Ex. 281 ¶¶ 12-16.)
85. Mr. Wilson and members of this staff stated, orally and in writing, that AT&T's
licensees, not AT&T or USL, would own and control modifications and derivative works prepared by or for the licensee (except for any original UNIX System V
source code provided by AT&T or USL and included therein). (Ex. 182 ¶ 18; Ex. 189 ¶¶ 17-22; Ex.
271 ¶¶ 3-5; Ex. 27 ¶ 25; Ex. 280 ¶¶ 3-5; Ex. 282 ¶ 17.)
96. Over the years, AT&T made the source code to its UNIX operating systems
available to many thousands of persons and entities, without necessarily requiring that the code
be kept confidential. AT&T's view was that a large number of UNIX-knowledgeable
programmers would help foster the adoption of UNIX System V as an industry standard within
the information technology marketplace. (Ex. 182 ¶ 37; Ex. 281 ¶¶ 33-37.)
97. Because AT&T and USL intended to distribute the UNIX System V source code
and related information widely, they understood that it would be difficult to require that the code
and related information be kept confidential. (Ex. 182 ¶ 36; Ex. 189 ¶¶
35-36; Ex. 279 ¶ 9; Ex. 281 ¶ 29.)
98. AT&T licensed its UNIX source code to universities worldwide on very favorable
terms, to encourage use by professors and students alike. AT&T sought to promote the
widespread adoption of UNIX operating systems by ensuring that UNIX System V ideas,
concepts, know-how, methods, and techniques would be widely known and understood by future
programmers. (Ex. 182 ¶¶ 36-37; Ex. 281 ¶ 34.)...
102. In an effort to make UNIX an "open" operating system, meaning that customers would not be locked in with a particular hardware vendor or a particular operating system vendor, AT&T itself published information concerning the interface of the operating system. For example, AT&T published a System V Interface Definition ("SVID"), which provided a complete interface specification that could even be used by AT&T's competitors to develop independently their own UNIX-like operating systems. (Ex. 281 ¶ 36; Ex 182 ¶ 37.)
103. AT&T and its successors authorized, or at least did not prevent, the publication of
hundreds, if not thousands, of books, articles, internet web-sites and other materials regarding
UNIX, many of which provide detailed information regarding the design and implementation of
the UNIX operating system. (Ex. 181 ¶¶ 58-59 & Ex. E; Ex. 281 ¶¶ 37-38;
Ex. 182 ¶¶ 37-38.)...
114. At approximately the same time Mr. Torvalds began the development of Linux,
Novell acquired (in 1991) an interest in USL, which held all of AT&T's UNIX-related assets,
including AT&T's UNIX licensing agreements and copyrights. (Ex. 5 ¶ 10; Ex. 182 ¶ 8.) In
1993, Novell acquired all of the UNIX assets held by USL. (Ex. 240 ¶ 9.)...
136. Santa Cruz did not have the financial capacity to pay the purchase price
contemplated by Novell for its UNIX assets. (Ex. 182 ¶ 43; Ex. 254 ¶ 10; Ex. 239 ¶ 8.) To
bridge the price gap and consummate the transaction, Novell and Santa Cruz agreed that Novell
would receive Santa Cruz stock and retain certain UNIX rights. (Ex. 123; Ex. 239 ¶ 8.)...
279. When informed of the interpretation of the IBM and Sequent Software
Agreements that SCO is advancing in this case, the individuals from AT&T who were involved
in negotiating the agreements state unequivocally that SCO is wrong. (Ex. 217 ¶ 24; Ex. 189 ¶¶
27-28; Ex. 281 ¶ 29; Ex. 182 ¶ 31; Ex. 275 ¶ 30.)...
282. According to Mr. DeFazio, SCO's claims are inconsistent with the provisions of
the Agreements. He does not believe that anyone at AT&T, USL, or Novell intended the
Agreements to be construed as SCO construes them. In all cases, according to Mr. DeFazio,
modifications and licensees' contributions to derivative works are not subject to the
confidentiality and other restrictions contained in the license agreements (except for any protected UNIX System V source code actually included therein) because they are owned by the
licensees. (Ex. 182 ¶ 31.)
As you can see on the chart listing all the 597 exhibits, this Declaration is only one of many proof exhibits attached to each motion, and it never stands alone as the sole proof for any point. The chart page has links to all of them, and you can find the exhibits attached to the contracts motion collected and listed below the text of the Memorandum in Support here. Here's a list of all the others attached to the Contract motion: Ex 1, Ex 2, Ex 3, Ex 5, Ex 11, Ex 12, Ex 32, Ex 33, Ex 34, Ex 43, Ex 44, Ex 45, Ex 53, Ex 54, Ex 55, Ex 56, Ex 57, Ex 58, Ex 59, Ex 62, Ex 63, Ex 64, Ex 65, Ex 66, Ex 67, Ex 105, Ex 106, Ex 107, Ex 119, Ex 120, Ex 121, Ex 122, Ex 123, Ex 124, Ex 125, Ex 126, Ex 127, Ex 128, Ex 132, Ex 134, Ex 135, Ex 136, Ex 137, Ex 138, Ex 139, Ex 140, Ex 141, Ex 142, Ex 151, Ex 161, Ex 162, Ex 167, Ex 168, Ex 173, Ex 174, Ex 178, Ex 181, Ex 182, Ex 183, Ex 188, Ex 189, Ex 190, Ex 191, Ex 193, Ex 194, Ex 196, Ex 206, Ex 207, Ex 208, Ex 210, Ex 211, Ex 216, Ex 217, Ex 218, Ex 219, Ex 221, Ex 222, Ex 223, Ex 225, Ex 227, Ex 228, Ex 230, Ex 231, Ex 233, Ex 235, Ex 236, Ex 237, Ex 239, Ex 240, Ex 242, Ex 243, Ex 246, Ex 248, Ex 250, Ex 252, Ex 253, Ex 254, Ex 255, Ex 257, Ex 258, Ex 263, Ex 266, Ex 268, Ex 270, Ex 271, Ex 272, Ex 274, Ex 275, Ex 276, Ex 279, Ex 280, Ex 281, Ex 282, Ex 283, Ex 285, Ex 286, Ex 287, Ex 288, Ex 291, Ex 292, Ex 293, Ex 295, Ex 296, Ex 297, Ex 301, Ex 302, Ex 310, Ex 340, Ex 346, Ex 348, Ex 349, Ex 350, Ex 351, Ex 352, Ex 353, Ex 364, Ex 367, Ex 368, Ex 369, Ex 370, Ex 371, Ex 372, Ex 374, Ex 375, Ex 383, Ex 384, Ex 385, Ex 386, Ex 387, Ex 388, Ex 389, Ex 391, Ex 396, Ex 398, Ex 407, Ex 408, Ex 414, Ex 418, Ex 423, Ex 427, Ex 440, Ex 441, Ex 442, Ex 444, Ex 471, Ex 472, Ex 480, Ex 481, Ex 486, Ex 487, Ex 488, Ex 491, Ex 492, Ex 493, Ex 495, Ex 496, Ex 497, Ex 498, Ex 499, Ex 502, Ex 503, Ex 505, Ex 507, Ex 508, Ex 509, Ex 510, Ex 511, Ex 512, Ex 559, Ex 560, Ex 561, Ex 562, Ex 563, Ex 564, Ex 565, Ex 566, Ex 567, Ex 568, Ex 569, Ex 570, Ex 571, Ex 584, Ex 596 The De Fazio Declaration also supports the following points in IBM's motion on SCO's AIX/Dynix copyright claim: 5. Both companies entered into software agreements, which set forth the terms under which they could use AT&T's UNIX software, as well as sublicensing agreements, which set forth the terms under which software programs "based on" UNIX System V could be distributed. (Ex. 492; Ex. 119; Ex. 120; Ex. 121; Ex. 282 ¶¶6-8;Ex. 182 ¶ 15.) IBM also entered into a side letter with AT&T (the "Side Letter") that further defined their relationship. (Ex. 122.)
6. While the Agreements placed restrictions on what IBM and Sequent could do with AT&T's UNIX software, they did not restrict what IBM and Sequent could do with their original works. IBM and Sequent were free under the Agreements to do as they wished with their original works, whether or not they were included in a modification or derivative work of UNIX System V, so long as they protected AT&T's UNIX software. (See Ex. 492 § 2.01; Ex. 122 ¶A.2;Ex. 182 ¶¶18, 20.)...
9. AT&T did not consider a breach material unless it presented a significant violation of its core intellectual property rights. (See Ex. 260 at 247.) Michael DeFazio, the head of AT&T's UNIX licensing efforts, has testified that AT&T's purpose was "to ensure that immaterial or trivial violations of confidentiality would not be judged to be a breach of the [Agreements]". (Id.; Ex. 182 ¶ 1.)
20. Novell understood IBM's proposal to mean that neither Novell nor Santa Cruz (nor their successors or assigns) could: terminate IBM's rights under the Agreements; demand any additional royalty payments beyond the agreed-upon amount in connection with IBM's distribution of its AIX operating system product on specified architectures (and, after five years, other sublicensed products); or interfere with the proper exercise of IBM's rights under the Agreements. (See Ex. 256 ¶ 13; Ex. 160 ¶ 14; Ex. 182 ¶ 51.)...
22. The only limitation on its rights to which IBM would agree was that Novell would retain the right to enjoin or otherwise prohibit IBM from violating Novell's rights under the amendment, the Agreements, or under general patent, copyright, or trademark law. (Ex. 160 ¶ 14; Ex. 163 ¶ 13; Ex. 182 ¶51.)...
43. Any argument that IBM's rights are terminable is inconsistent with the language of Amendment No. X and the understanding of the people who negotiated the April 1996 Amendment and Amendment No. X. Termination is no longer a remedy under the Agreements. (Ex. 256 ¶¶ 13,35; EX. 160 ¶¶ 14, 37; Ex. 172 ¶ 28; Ex. 182 ¶ 52.) And here are all the exhibits attached to the AIX/Copyright motion: Ex 1, Ex 2, Ex 3, Ex 5, Ex 11, Ex 12, Ex 44, Ex 53, Ex 54, Ex 55, Ex 56, Ex 58, Ex 59, Ex 62, Ex 63, Ex 64, Ex 66, Ex 119, Ex 120, Ex 121, Ex 122, Ex 123, Ex 124, Ex 143, Ex 151, Ex 153, Ex 154, Ex 155, Ex 156, Ex 157, Ex 158, Ex 159, Ex 160, Ex 163, Ex 172, Ex 181, Ex 182, Ex 229, Ex 236, Ex 256, Ex 260, Ex 269, Ex 281, Ex 282, Ex 297, Ex 414, Ex 444, Ex 492, Ex 580, Ex 581, Ex 582, Ex 583, Ex 592
And finally, here are all the exhibits attached to this Declaration. I believe Exhibit 3 is one we have not seen before. [Update: ChrisP reminds me that we have seen it before and here's a link [PDF].]: - Exhibit 1:
AT&T Technologies, Inc. Software Agreement, SOFT-00015 [PDF; Text.]
- Exhibit 2:
AT&T Technologies, Inc. Sublicensing Agreement, SUB-00015A [PDF; Text.]
- Exhibit 3: AT&T Technologies, Inc. Substitution Agreement, XFER-000158, which substituted SOFT-00015 and SUB-00015A for a January 1, 1982 Software Agreement, "as Modified, Relating to UNIX System V, Release 2.0 and other UNIX Operating Systems" and a June 2, 1983 Supplemental Agreement "relating to UNIX System V, Release 2.0 and other UNIX Operating Systems." "Accordingly, the rights and obligations of the parties under the prior agreements are terminated and replaced by the rights and obligations of the parties under the new agreements. No other agreements between the parties hereto are affected by this Agreement." This is page 46 of the DeFazio Declaration PDF.
- Exhibit 4:
IBM/AT&T Side Letter Agreement dated February 1, 1985 (the "what's mine is mine and what's yours is yours" letter) [Text.]
- Exhibit 5:
AT&T Technologies, Inc. Software Agreement, SUB-000321, the April 18, 1985 Sequent agreement.
- Exhibit 6:
AT&T Technologies, Inc. Sublicensing Agreement, SUB-000321A, January 28, 1986 Sequent sublicensing agreement.
- Exhibit 7:
AT&T Technologies, Inc. Sublicensing Agreement, SUB-000321B, January 28, 1986 Sequent substitution agreement.
- Exhibit 8:
Asset Purchase Agreement by and between The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc. and Novell, Inc. dated as of September 19, 1995 [Text.]
- Exhibit 9:
AT&T Information Systems, Inc. Software Agreement, SUB-000302, May 6, 1987 agreement with Santa Cruz Operation.
- Exhibit 10:
Amendment 1 to Asset Purchase Agreement (between The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc. and Novell, Inc.), dated as of December 6, 1995 [Text.]
- Exhibit 11:
Novell CEO Jack Messman's June 9, 2003 letter to SCO CEO Darl McBride [Text. "...Novell hereby directs SCO to waive any purported right SCO may claim to terminate IBM's SVRX Licenses ..."
- Exhibit 12:
Novell CEO Jack Messman's June 12, 2003 letter to SCO CEO Darl McBride and IBM VP Ronald Lauderdale [Text. "...Novell, on behalf of The SCO Group, hereby waives any purported right SCO may claim to terminate IBM's SVRX Licenses ..."
- Exhibit 13: Amendment X [Text.] IBM/Santa Cruz Operation Amendment to Software Agreement SOFT-00015 as amended, Sublicensing Agreement SUB-00015A, as amended, Software Agreement SOFT-00015 Supplement No. 170 as amended, and Substitution Agreement XFER-00015B. "This amendment ("Amendment") is between International Business Machines Corporation... and Novell, Inc.... on behalf of itself and The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc.("SCO") ... This Amendment becomes effective when executed by an authorized representative of Novell, on behalf of SCO, and IBM..." (signed by IBM on October 17, 1996, by Novell on October 16, 1996, and by Steven Sabbath for Santa Cruz on October 16, 1996.)
- Exhibit 14:
Amendment 2 to Asset Purchase Agreement (between The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc. and Novell, Inc.), dated October 16, 1996. [I can't help but notice that this is the same date Amendment X, Exhibit 13, was signed by the same Novell representative.]
As I was
doing the exhibits of all the contracts, I couldn't believe how much
work we have done at Groklaw. Most of these contracts were paper
exhibits that we had to pick up from the courthouse, scan in and then
transcribe. They are long and tedious. But we did them. This is,
then, a good time to say thank you to all of you who have helped --
especially the mighty Frank Sorensen and Chris Brown. When this is
all over, we'll do a complete credits page. If ever there was a day
to notice that Groklaw isn't just li'l ole me, this would be the day.
I could never have done this by myself.
****************************
SNELL & WILMER, LLP.
Alan L. Sullivan (3152)
Todd M. Shaughnessy (6651)
[address, phone, fax]
CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE LLP
Evan R. Chesler (admitted pro hac vice)
Thomas G. Rafferty (admitted pro hac vice)
David R. Marriott (7572)
[address, phone]
Attorneys for Defendant/Counterclaim-Plaintiff
International Business Machines Corporation
___________________
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF UTAH
__________________
THE SCO GROUP, INC.,
Plaintiff/Counterclaim-Defendant,
-against-
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
MACHINES CORPORATION, a New York corporation,
Defendant/Counterclaim-Plaintiff
___________________
Civil No. 2:03CV-0294 DAK
Honorable Dale A. Kimball
__________________
DECLARATION OF MICHAEL J. DEFAZIO
I, Michael J. DeFazio, declare as follows:
1. I was the head of the organization responsible for product management, marketing and licensing terms and conditions for the Unix System V operating system from 1984 until 1995, first with American Telephone and Telegraph Company ("AT&T"), then with Unix System Laboratories, Inc. ("USL") and finally with Novell, Inc. ("Novell"). After December 1995, when Novell sold certain of its Unix related assets to The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc. ("Santa Cruz"), now known as Tarantella, Inc., I continued to be involved in Novell's remaining Unix business primarily in an administrative and an advisory capacity.
2. This declaration is submitted in connection with the lawsuit entitled The SCO Group, Inc. v. International Business Machines Corporation, Civil Action No. 2:03CV-0294 DAK (D. Utah 2003). Except as stated otherwise, this declaration is based upon personal knowledge and review of the documents referenced herein.
3. Section I of this declaration describes my roles and responsibilities with respect to the Unix System V operating system. Section II sets out my understanding of the confidentiality provisions of the license agreements. Section IV sets out my understanding of certain exceptions to the confidentiality provisions. Section V sets out my understanding of Novell's continuing rights under the Unix System V license agreements following the sale of certain Unix related assets to Santa Cruz in 1995. Section VI of this declaration sets out my understanding of certain amendments to the license agreements with International Business Machines Corporation ("IBM"). Section VII sets out my understanding of an amendment to the asset purchase agreement between Novell and Santa Cruz.
I. Roles and Responsibilities Regarding Unix
4. I began working for Bell Laboratories ("Bell Labs"), the research and development arm of AT&T, in 1967. From 1967 until 1976, I worked on software related managerial and technical staff assignments on military projects. From 1977 until 1984, I had managerial responsibilities for development of application software supporting telephone company operations.
5. In February 1984, I left Bell Labs and accepted a position with Western Electric, a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T, where I was the head of the organization resonsible for product management, marketing and licensing terms and conditions for the Unix System V operating systems. Western Electric was later renamed "AT&T Technologies, Inc." I believe that AT&T Technologies, Inc. was eventually merged into AT&T. Among other things, my organization was responsible for the terms and conditions of Unix System V source code license agreements, which generally included a number of "standard" form agreements with each licensee. The standard software agreement granted the licensee the right to use and modify the source code for its own internal business purposes. In addition, many licensees were parties to sublicensing agreements, which granted the licensees the right to copy and furnish Unix System V software, and sublicensed products based on Unix System V, to customers in object code format. A substitution agreement provided that the software agreement and, if applicable, the sublicensing agreement, replaced earlier agreements relating to Unix System V software.
6. I was ultimately responsible for the terms and conditions of the license agreements executed after I assumed product management responsibilities for the Unix System V operating system in 1984. These license agreements included the following agreements between IBM and AT&T Technologies, Inc.: -
the Software Agreement (Agreement Number SOFT-00015) dated February 1, 1985 (the "IBM Software Agreement");
-
the Sublicensing Agreement (Agreement Number SUB-00015A) dated February 1, 1985 (the "IBM Sublicensing Agreement"); and
-
the Sublicensing Agreement (Agreement Number XFER-00015B) dated February 1, 1985 (the "IBM Substitution Agreement"); and
-
the letter agreement dated February 1, 1985 (the "IBM Side Letter").
True and correct copies of these agreements are attached hereto as Exhibits 1 through 4. These agreements are referred to herein as the "IBM Related Agreements."
7. I was also ultimately responsible for the terms and conditions of the following agreements between Sequent Computer Systems, Inc. ("Sequent") and AT&T Technologies, Inc. relating to Unix software:
-
the Software Agreement (Agreement Number SOFT-000321) dated April 18, 1985 (the "Sequent Software Agreement");
-
the Sublicensing Agreement (Agreement Number SUB-000321A) dated January 28, 1986 (the "Sequent Sublicensing Agreement"); and
-
the Substitution Agreement (Agreement Number XFER-000321B) dated January 28, 1986 (the "Sequent Substitution Agreement").
True and correct copies of these agreements are attached hereto as Exhibits 5 through 7. These agreements are referred to herein as the "Sequent Related Agreements." I have been advised that Sequent has been acquired by, and merged into, IBM.
8. In 1989, AT&T reorganized the organizations responsible for Unix, and associated system software products and services, into a separate business unit called Unix Software Operation. In 1989, USL was incorporated as a separate subsidiary of AT&T and in April 1991 rights to Unix operating systems and related products, technology and intellectual property was transferred to it. Also in 1991, AT&T sold approximately 20% of the equity interests in USL to a number of participants in the open computer systems industry, including Novell. I was named Executive Vice President, Unix System V Software, of USL. In that capacity, I had overall business planning, product management and development oversight responsibility for Unix System V, including the terms and conditions of source code license agreements such as the IBM Related Agreements and the Sequent Related Agreements.
9. In 1992, Roel Pieper, Chief Executive Officer of USL, initiated strategic planning to examine possible corporate merger transactions. With the concurrence of Robert Kavner, a Senior Vice President of AT&T and a member of USL's board of directors, and Ray Noorda, Chief Executive Officer of Novell until 1994, USL entered into discussions regarding a possible merger with Novell. I was a member of the team that negotiated the transaction. In June 1993, Novell acquired USL by merger. In January 1994, I became Executive Vice President, Unix Systems Group, of Novell.
10. In the summer of 1995, Bob Frankenberg, Chief Executive Officer of Novell from 1994 until he resigned in 1996, and I met with Doug Michels, Executive Vice President of Santa Cruz, and discussed the possiblity of a sale of Novell's Unix businesses to Santa Cruz. Together with Ed Chatlos, Senior Director for Business Development and Mergers and Acquisitions for Novell, I was responsible for negotiating this sale on behalf of Novell. I participated in a meeting with Santa Cruz executives Doug Michels and Alok Mohan, Chief Executive Officer of Santa Cruz, as well as Dan Case, a representative of Santa Cruz's investment bank, and other representatives of Santa Cruz. At this meeting, we presented to Santa Cruz the high-level terms of our initial proposal for the sale of certain Unix assets. Negotiating this transaction was Mr. Chatlos's full-time responsibility during this period. As the senior executive most knowledgeable regarding Unix, I spent a significant amount of time negotiating this transaction as well. Other individuals within Novell were brought in to represent their functional areas as needed in the course of the negotiations. On September 19, 1995, Novell entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Santa Cruz(the "Asset Purchase Agreement"), a true and correct copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 8. In December 1995, Novell sold certain Unix related assets to Santa Cruz pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement. As is described in more detail below, Novell retained significant substantive rights with respect to the Unix System V source code licensing business, including those under the IBM Related Agreements and the Sequent Related Agreements.
11. After the sale to Santa Cruz, I remained with Novell where my work focused on its broader networking strategy. I continued to be involved in Novell's remaining Unix business primarily in an administrative and an advisory capacity, including overseeing some administrative items required for Novell to fulfill its responsibilities relating to the sale. In that capacity, I was involved in certain amendments to the IBM Related Agreements and the Asset Purchase Agreement in 1996. I left Novell in 1997.
12. I have extensive firsthand knowledge and experience regarding the Unix System V license agreements described in this declaration, the Asset Purchase Agreement and the related amendments. During the period from 1984 through 1995, I was the business person who was ultimately responsible for the terms and conditions of the licensing of the Unix System V operating system. With the assistance of legal counsel, I was responsible for establishing the terms of the standard license agreements pursuant to which AT&T, USL and Novell licensed the Unix System V operating system source code to hundreds and perhaps thousands of licensees.
13. As a result, I believe I know what the parties to these agreements understood them to mean and intended them to accomplish. That is, of course, particularly true with respect to the understanding and intent of AT&T, USL and Novell.
II. Basic Grant of Rights to Unix System V Licensees
14. During the period from 1984 to 1995, AT&T, USL and Novell licensed Unix System V source code to hundreds and perhaps thousands of licensees. The code was licensed pursuant to software agreements. The standard software agreement granted the licensee the right to use and modify the source code for its own internal business purposes.
15. In addition, many of these licensees were parties to sublicensing agreements. The standard sublicensing agreement granted the licensee the right to copy and furnish Unix System V software, and sublicensed products based on Unix System V, to customers in object code format.
16. Section 2.01 of the standard software agreement granted to the licensee the right to use software products, such as Unix System V. In early versions of the standard software agreement, including the IBM Software Agreement, Section 2.01 also included the following language regarding the modifications and derivative works:
Such right to use includes the right to modify such SOFTWARE PRODUCT and to prepare derivative works based on such SOFTWARE PRODUCT, provided the resulting materials are treated hereunder as part of the original SOFTWARE PRODUCT.
A modification or a derivative work would constitute "resulting materials" to be treated as part of the original Unix System V software product only so long as it contained any protected Unix System V source code provided by AT&T, USL or Novell. Source code developed by or for a licensee, even if it were included in such a modification or a derivative work, would not by itself constitute "resulting materials". The purpose of treating portions of Unix System V source code included in modifications and derivative works as part of the original software product was to ensure that the Unix System V source code provided by AT&T, USL or Novell and contained in the licensee's derivative works would continue to be protected as if it were standalone Unix System V source code.
17. The agreements did not (and do not) give AT&T, USL, Novell or any of their successors or assigns the right to assert ownership or control over modifications and derivative works prepared by its licensees, except to the extent of the original Unix System V source code included in such modifications and derivative works. AT&T, USL and Novell never intended to assert ownership or control over modifications and derivative works prepared by its licensees, except to the extent of the original Unix System V source code included in such modifications and derivative works. I do not believe that our licensees would have been willing to enter into the software agreement if they understood Section 2.01 to grant AT&T, USL, Novell or their successors or assigns the right to own or control source code developed by or for the licensee. Modifications and derivative works contained Unix System V source code and developed by or provided to the licensee. The Unix System V source code contained in a modification or derivative work continued to be owned by AT&T, USL, Novell or their successors, while the code developed by or provided to the licensee remained the property of the licensee or provider to the licensee.
18. In fact, some licensees sought to clarify that, under the agreements, the licensee, not AT&T, USL, Novell or their successors or assigns, would own and control modifications and contributions to derivative works prepared by or for the licensee. When asked, we provided the requested clarification because that is what we understood the language in the standard software agreement to mean in any event. For example, Paragraph A.2 of the IBM Side Letter clarified the standard provisions as follows:
Regarding Section 2.01, we agree that modifications and derivative works prepared by or for [IBM] are owned by [IBM]. However, ownership of any portion or portions of SOFTWARE PRODUCTS included in any such modification or derivative work remains with [AT&T].
I understand and understand this language to mean that IBM, not AT&T, would have the right to control modifications and contributions to derivative works prepared by or for IBM. Like all licensees under the agreements, IBM fully owns any modifications of and contributions to derivative works based on Unix System V prepared by or for IBM, and can freely use, copy, distribute or disclose such modifications and contributions to derivative works, provided that IBM does not copy, distribute or disclose any portions of the original System V source code (except as permitted by the IBM Related Agreements). Clarifications of the kind reflected in Paragraph A.2 of the IBM Side Letter did not represent a substantive change to the standard software agreement since AT&T, USL and Novell did not intend to assert ownership or control over modifications and derivative works prepared by licensees, except to the extent of the original Unix System V source code included in such modifications and derivative works.
19. Eventually, we revised the standard software agreement to clarify this point. For example, Section 2.01 of a software agreement between AT&T Information Systems Inc. and Santa Cruz entered into in May 1987, a true and correct copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 9, included the following language:
Such right to use includes the right to modify such SOFTWARE PRODUCT and to prepare derivative works based on such SOFTWARE PRODUCT, provided that any such modifications or derivative work that contains any part of a SOFTWARE PRODUCT subject to this Agreement is treated hereunder the same as such SOFTWARE PRODUCT. AT&T-IS claims no ownership interest in any portion of such a modification or derivative work that is not part of a SOFTWARE PRODUCT. (emphasis added)
20. Regardless of whether we entered into a side letter to clarify the treatment of modifications and derivative works or altered the language of Section 2.01 of the standard software agreement, AT&T's, USL's and Novell's intent was always the same -- we never intended to assert ownership or control over any portion of a modification or any contribution to a derivative work that was not part of Unix System V. The licensee was free to use, copy, distribute or disclose such modifications and contributions to derivative works, provided it did not copy, distribute or disclose any portions of the original Unix System V source code (except as permitted by the license agreements).
21. A number of our customers developed technology for their own sublicensed products that AT&T, USL or Novell wished to integrate into Unix System V. We entered into cooperative development agreements with a number of these customers because we did not have any rights to modifications or contributions to derivative works, or standalone products, prepared by or for our customers in the absence of such agreements. In fact, under the license agreements, we did not even have copies of the modifications and derivative works developed by our licensees in either source or object code form. The cooperative development agreements generally provided AT&T, USL or Novell with the right to use, and to sublicense and distribute, selected technology developed by our customers. However, our customers generally retained all rights of ownership of their technology. Such cooperative agreements were entered into with Microsoft Corporation, Santa Cruz, Sun Microsystems, Inc. and many others.
22. Although IBM and Sequent were and/or are prohibited from disclosing the Unix System V source code (except as permitted by the IBM Related Agreements or the Sequent Related Agreements), IBM and Sequent were and/or are free to use, copy, distribute, or disclose modifications of and contributions to derivative works based on Unix System V, provided that they do not copy, distribute or disclose any portions of the original Unix System V source code (except as permitted by the IBM Related Agreements or the Sequent Related Agreements). Therefore, IBM and Sequent are and/or were free, at least under the AT&T software and related agreements, to open source all of AIX and Dynix/PTX other than those portions of the original Unix System V source code included therein (except as permitted by the IBM Related Agreements or the Sequent Related Agreements).
III. Confidentiality Restrictions in the License Agreements
23. The standard software agreement that was used for Unix System V during my tenure at AT&T, USL and Novell imposed certain confidentiality restrictions on the licensee. Even though we may have entered into side letters or other agreements with a number of the licensees that, among other things, clarified or amended the confidentiality restrictions in the standard software agreement, as a practical matter, essentially the same confidentiality restrictions applied to all licensees.
24. Secton 7.06(a) of the standard software agreement included the following language prohibiting the licensee from disclosing the Unix System V source code obtained from AT&T:
LICENSEE agrees that it shall hold all parts of the SOFTWARE PRODUCTS subject to this Agreement in confidence for AT&T. LICENSEE further agrees that it shall not make any disclosure of any or all of such SOFTWARE PRODUCTS (including methods or concepts utilized therein) to anyone, except to employees of LICENSEES to whom such disclosure is necessary to the use for which rights are granted hereunder.
This prohibition was (and is) subject to a number of important exceptions, including that a licensee's obligations under this section do not apply if "a SOFTWARE PRODUCT subject to this Agreement at any time becomes available without restriction to the general public by acts not attributable to LICENSEE or its employees," as is discussed in Section IV below.
25. The purpose of this provision was to require licensees to keep confidential those parts of the licensed software that AT&T, USL and Novell wished to keep confidential, namely source code. We recognized that there were limits on the extent to which we would be able to require confidentiality, since the source code was to be broadly distributed and it would become increasingly known to the public. But it was AT&T's, USL's and Novell's goal to protect the confidentiality of portions of the code for as long as possible.
26. Some licensees sought to clarify or modify the confidentiality restrictions of Section 7.06(a). For example, Paragraph A.9 of the IBM Side Letter clarified the confidentiality provision of the IBM Software Agreement in a number of important respects. First, Paragraph A.9 of the Side Letter deleted the phrase "all parts of" from the first sentence. The purpose of this deletion was to clarify that IBM would not be held in breach of the confidentiality provision for immaterial disclosures of source code. I viewed this language as a clarification, not a substantive change, since I did not believe that a licensee would be held in breach of the standard software agreement for immaterial disclosures. Even a licensee like Sequent, which did not have a side letter like IBM, would not, under the terms of its agreements with AT&T, be held in breach for disclosing parts of the source code that were not material.
27. Second, Paragraph A.9 of the IBM Side Letter deleted the parenthetical "(including methods or conceps utilized therein)" from the second sentence. This change acknowledged the reality that Unix System V methods and concepts were increasingly becoming well known in the industry. In fact, it was part of AT&T's strategy at the time to distribute the source code widely, and under terms favorable to AT&T's customers, in order to promote Unix as a standard operating system.
28. Finally, Paragraph A.9 of the IBM Side Letter included a provision expressly stating that:
Nothing in this agreement shall prevent LICENSEE from developing or marketing products or services employing ideas, concepts, know-how or techniques relating to data processing embodied in SOFTWARE PRODUCTS subject to this Agreement, provided that LICENSEE shall not copy any code from such SOFTWARE PRODUCTS into any such product or in connection with any such service and employees of LICENSEE shall not refer to the physical documents and materials comprising SOFTWARE PRODUCTS subject to this Agreement when they are developing any such product or service or providing any such service.
This language made very explicit that IBM was provided specific relief from confidentialitly obligations with respect to Unix System V trade secrets, including ideas, concepts, know-how, methods and techniques, and also acknowledged the reality that Unix System V ideas, concepts, know-how, methods and techniques were increasingly becoming widely known in the industry.
29. As clarified by its side letter, IBM had no obligation to keep confidential any trade secrets or other information embodied in any of the software products provided to IBM, provided that IBM did not copy the actual source code or refer to the physical documents and materials comprising the software products while developing or providing products or services. IBM was (and is) free to use and disclose any of the ideas, concepts, know-how, methods or techniques embodied in the software products. Indeed, as is discussed in more detail below, even the restrictions on referring to the physical documents and materials comprising the software products was eliminated by amendments executed in 1996. After the execution of those amendments, IBM's only confidentiality obligation under its agreements with AT&T was not to disclose source code copied directly from Unix System V (unless that code copied directly from Unix System V (unless that code had become available without restrictions to the general public).
30. As discussed above, we never sought, by way of the confidentiality provisions in the software agreements, to assert ownership or control over any portion of a modification or any contribution to a derivative work that was not part of Unix System V. Such modifications and contributions to derivative works are not subject to the confidentiality restrictions of Section 7.06(a) (except for any protected Unix System V source code actually included therein) because they are owned by the licensees. The licensees are free to use, copy, distribute or disclose such modifications and contributions to derivative works, provided that they do not copy, distribute or disclose any portions of the original Unix System V source code (except as permitted by the license agreements).
31. I understand that plaintiff claims that IBM and/or Sequent have breached the IBM Related Agreements and the Sequent Related Agreements by using/disclosing Unix methods, derivative works and modifications in violation of the confidentiality and other restrictions contained in those agreements, irrespective of whether IBM and/or Sequent have disclosed any specific protected source code copied from Unix System V. Such claims are, in my view, inconsistent with the provisions of the license agreements generally and the IBM Related Agreements and the Sequent Related Agreements in particular. I do not believe that anyone at AT&T, USL or Novell intended these agreements to be construed in this way. In all cases, modifications and licensees' contributions to derivative works are not subject to the confidentiality and other restrictions contained in the license agreements (except for any protected Unix System V source code actually included therein) because they are owned by the licensees.
IV. Relief from Confidentiality Restrictions
32. Because AT&T, USL and Novell intended to widely distribute the Unix System V source code and related information, we understand, as stated above, that it would become -- indeed it was becoming -- increasingly difficult to require that the code and related information be kept confidential. Since we believed that our licensees held the same view, the standard software agreements provided that a licensee would not be required to keep a software product confidential if it became available without restriction to the general public.
33. The exception is set forth in Section 7.06(a) of the standard software agreement:
If information relating to a SOFTWARE PRODUCT subject to this Agreement at any time becomes available without restriction to the general public by acts not attributable to LICENSEE or its employees, LICENSEE'S obligations under this section shall not apply to such information after this time.
I understand this provision to mean that the licensee was free to disclose, without any restriction whatsoever, any information that became available without restriction to the general public by acts not attributable to that particular licensee or its employees.
34. If part or all of a software product is "available without restriction to the general public" within the meaning of the agreements, and no longer protected by any confidentiality restrictions, then it is not entitled to be protected as a trade secret. The purpose of the confidentiality provisions of the software and related agreements was to ensure that AT&T, USL and Novell retained the right to protect source code as a trade secret. The purpose of this requirement was not to impose upon licensees a confidentiality obligation beyond what AT&T, USL and Novell could enforce under trade secret law.
35. Neither at the time we entered into the IBM Related Agreements and the Sequent Related Agreements, nor subsequently, had we cataloged all the ways in which a software product could become available without restriction to the general public. Nor, to my knowledge, had we ever developed a listing or index of the methods and concepts of Unix System V that we considered to be trade secrets. However, I believe that a software product (or any part thereof) would be "available without restriction to the general public", within the meaning of the software and related agreements, if, for example, it were (1) published by no fault of the licensee; (2) accessible by the general public without meaningful restriction, such as for download from the internet without enforceable confidentiality restrictions; (3) available broadly in the marketplace because the owner of the software (whether AT&T, USL, Novell or their successors) failed, even if by inadvertence or simple negligence, to take steps necessary to ensure the confidentiality of the software; or (4) distributed so widely that no confidentiality provision could adequately preserve the confidentiality of the software.
36. While I was responsible for the distribution of Unix System V code, my major concern about Unix source code possibly becoming unprotectable as a trade secret (or otherwise) was based upon the breadth of its distribution. Although we sought to protect the confidentiality of the source code by distributing it only under legally binding license agreements that included confidentiality provisions, the Unix System V source code was distributed to hundreds and perhaps thousands of such licensees, and was made availble by those licensees to tens of thousands of individuals, including professional software developers, university faculty members and students.
37. One purpose of distributing the source code so widely was to promote the widespread adoption of Unix operating systems by ensuring that Unix System V ideas, concepts, know-how, methods and techniques would be widely known and understood by future programmers. AT&T viewed a growing population of Unix-knowledgeable programmers to be a key asset in achieving its goal of making Unix System V pervasive within the information technology marketplace. Furthermore, AT&T intended Unix to be an "open" operating system, meaning that customers would not be locked in with a particular hardware vendor or a particular operating system vendor. To that end, AT&T published a System V Interface Definition ("SVID"), which provided a complete interface specification that could even be used by AT&T's competitors to develop independently their own Unix-like operating systems. AT&T also created a System V Verification Suite ("SVVS"), which was made available to test the compliance of both sublicensed products based on Unix System V and other Unix-like operating systems with SVID. We also permitted the publication of a book entitled The Design of the Unix Operating System, by Maurice J. Bach, which describes the internal algorithms and structures that form the basis of the operating system and their relationship to the programmer interface. We published SVID and SVVS, and permitted the publication of The Design of the Unix Operating System, because we were more concerned with promoting the Unix operating system as a de facto industry standard "open" operating system than we were with protecting Unix trade secrets. Although I am no longer responsible for the distribution of Unix source code, it is my understanding that it has been distributed since my departure from Novell. Based solely on the breadth of its
distribution, I doubt if there are many, if any, parts of the Unix System V Release 4.x and earlier source code that could be said still to be confidential.
38. It is my understanding that hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of books, articles, internet web-sites and other publications have been published regarding Unix, many of which provide detailed information regarding the design and implementation of the Unix operating system. For example, I have been informed that Lions' Commentary on Unix 6th Edition with Source Code, by John Lions, includes a complete source code listing of AT&T's Unix Operating System Source Code Level 6 and states that it was published with the permission of SCO Inc. I have also been informed that Unix Internals, A Practical Approach, published in 1996 by Steve Pate, then a Senior Kernel Engineer at Santa Cruz, describes in detail the internals of SCO OpenServer Release 5, a Unix operating system that is a sublicensed product based on Unix System V Release 3.2 ("SVR3.2"). The information contained in books, articles, internet web-sites and other publications of this kind is "available without restriction to the general public" within the meaning of the software and related agreements and is therefore not subject to their confidentiality restrictions.
39. I have been advised that plaintiff has made Unix source code available for download free of charge to anyone with an internet connection, without ensuring that the people who download the source code would be legally obligated to protect its confidentiality and could reasonably be expected to do so. Based on my understanding of the intent of the confidentiality provisions in the software and related agreements, any such source code is "available without restriction to the general public" and therefore not subject to any confidentiality restrictions whatever, even if plaintiff purported to place limited restrictions on use of the downloaded source code (such as that it not be used for commercial purposes).
40. I understand that plaintiff has alleged that IBM and Sequent have breached the confidentiality and other restrictions in the IBM Related Agreements and the Sequent Related Agreements. Even in 1985, as discussed above, we were concerned that the Unix System V source code and related information had been so widely distributed that it was becoming increasingly difficult to enforce the confidentiality restrictions in our license agreements. In light of the enormous amounts of additional information that has become available to the general public since then regarding the design and implementation of the Unix operating system, in some cases including complete source code listings, I believe that little, if any, Unix System V Release 4.x and earlier source code, all of which is over ten years old, remains subject to confidentiality restrictions.
V. Novell's Continuing Rights
41. In 1995, Novell sold certain Unix system related assets to Santa Cruz. Novell also retained significant Unix assets, including important intellectual property and significant substantive rights under the Unix System V source code license agreements, such as the IBM Related Agreements and the Sequent Related Agreements.
42. Ed Chatlos and I were responsible for negotiating the sale of Novell's Unix businesses to Santa Cruz. Novell had two principal Unix businesses. The first was the USL legacy business of licensing Unix System V source code to other Unix system vendors, who may use, modify and distribute the software under the terms of the license agreements. The second was the UnixWare business, which developed, manufactured and distributed to end users (either directly or through third parties), in object code format, products derived from Unix System V under the brand name "UnixWare."
43. Initially, Santa Cruz expressed an interest in purchasing both of these businesses. However, the royalty stream associated with the Unix System V source code licensing business led to a total valuation for both businesses that Santa Cruz stated it could not afford. Therefore, Santa Cruz proposed that Novell retain the legacy Unix System V source code licensing business and Santa Cruz purchase only the UnixWare business. Under this proposal, Santa Cruz would administer the collection of royalties under the Unix System V source code license agreements and pass through these royalties to Novell for a fee.
44. Novell accepted the proposal, and the Asset Purchase Agreement was drafted to reflect the parties' understanding. To that end, Section 4.16(a) of the Asset Purchase Agreement provides that Novell generally receives any royalties payable under the Unix System V source code license agreements, including the IBM Related Agreements and the Sequent Related Agreements, and Novell pays Santa Cruz a 5% administrative fee for its services in collecting such royalties.
45. Novell retained significant Unix related assets following the sale. For example, Schedule 1.1(b) provides that the Unix System V intellectual property would not be transferred to Santa Cruz by listing the following items as "Excluded Assets":
V. Intellectual Property:
A. All copyrights and trademarks, except for the trademarks UNIX and UnixWare.
B. All Patents.
I believed the intent of the retention of the Unix System V intellectual property, including all copyrights and patents, by Novell was to protect Novell's future monetary benefits from the Unix System V source code licensing business. Novell did not have any obligation under the Asset Purchase Agreement to preserve the confidentiality of the Unix System V source code for the benefit of Santa Cruz.
46. In addition, Section 4.16(b) of the Asset Purchase Agreement included the following language providing that Novell would have the right, at its sole discretion, to amend, modify, supplement or waive any rights under, or assign any rights to, the Unix System V source code license agreements, including the IBM Related Agreements and the Sequent Related Agreements, in any manner or respect:
[Santa Cruz] shall not, and shall not have the authority to, amend, modify or waive any right under or assign any SVRX License without the prior written consent of [Novell]. In addition, at [Novell's] sole discretion and direction, [Santa Cruz] shall amend, supplement, modify or waive any rights under, or shall assign any rights to, any SVRX Licensee to the extent so directed in any manner or respect by [Novell]. In the event that [Santa Cruz] shall fail to take any such action concerning the SVRX Licenses as required herein, [Novell] shall be authorized, and hereby is granted, the rights to take any action on [Santa Cruz's] own behalf.
Since Novell would be retaining the right to receive the royalties under the Unix System V licenses, it was agreed that Novell also would retain the right to control the then-existing source code contractual relationships with the licensees. The purpose of Section 4.16(b) was to ensure that Novell would have the right to control these contractual relationships in its sole discretion, so that actions by Santa Cruz (ir its successors) could not adversely affect Novell's ability to realize the economic benefits flowing from these license agreements.
47. Amendment No. 1, dated December 6, 1995, to the Asset Purchase Agreement, a true and correct copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10, made minor changes to Section 4.16 but, in my judgment, did not alter the fundamental business deal--that Novell would retain significant substantive rights under Unix System V source code license agreements, including the right to receive royalties and, at its sole discretion, to amend, modify, supplement or waive any rights under, or assign any rights to, these agreements in any manner or respect.
48. I have been advised that (1) plaintiff purports to have terminated IBM's rights under the IBM Related Agreements; (2) Novell sent a letter to plaintiff dated June 9, 2003, a true and correct copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 11, stating that plaintiff had no right to terminate IBM's license rights and directing plaintiff to waive any purported right plaintiff may claim to terminate the IBM Related Agreements or to revoke any rights hereunder; (3) plaintiff failed to comply with this direction; and (4) Novell sent a letter to plaintiff and to IBM dated June 12, 2003, a true and correct copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 12, waiving on behalf of plaintiff any purported right plaintiff claimed to terminate the IBM Related Agreements or to revoke any rights thereunder. This is the kind of situation contemplated by Section 4.16(b) of the Asset Purchase Agreement. Novell's actions are entirely consistent with my understanding of its retained rights under Section 4.16(b) of the Asset Purchase Agreement.
VI. April 1996 Amendment and Amendment No. X
49. I am familiar with an amendment to the IBM Related Agreements dated April 26, 1996 between Novell, acting on its own behalf and on behalf of Santa Cruz, and IBM (the "April 1996 Amendment"), and an amendment dated October 17, 1996, among Novell, Santa Cruz and IBM ("Amendment No. X"), which replaced the April 1996 Amendment, true and correct copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits 13 and 14. Although I was not directly involved in negotiating the April 1996 Amendment or Amendment No. X, I was involved with those negotiations in an advisory capacity. I have read the Amadia Declaration dated June 9, 2003, and it is consistent with my understanding of the events, and the purpose and intent of the parties, relating to the April 1996 Amendment and Amendment No. X.
50. The last sentence of Paragraph 6 of Amendment No. X (like the corresponding provision in the April 1996 Amendment) permits IBM employees to actually refer to the licensed source code, documents and materials while they are working on other projects. After the execution of Amendment No. X, the only conduct that Novell or Santa Cruz could seek to enjoin under the confidentiality provisions of the IBM Related Agreements would be disclosing source code copied directly from SVR3.2 in violation of Novell's or Santa Cruz's rights, provided that Novell or Santa Cruz would satisfy the standards for obtaining such relief. As a result of Amendment No. X, IBM was (and is) not only free to use and disclose any of the ideas, concepts, know-how, methods or techniques embodied in SVR3.2, but was (and is) also permitted to actually refer to the physical documents and materials comprising SVR3.2 while developing or providing products or services.
51. The understanding of the irrevocability provisions of the April 1996 Amendment and Amendment No. X described in the Amadia declaration is consistent with my understanding. I understood that, following the execution of the April 1996 Amendment and Amendment No. X, Novell and Santa Cruz no longer had any right to terminate IBM's rights under the IBM Related Agreement under any circumstances, though they retained the right to seek to enjoin or otherwise prohibit conduct that breached the provisions of the IBM Related Agreements, provided that they could satisfy the standards for obtaining such relief. So, for example, Novell and Santa Cruz contracted away the right, based upon an alleged breach of the IBM Related Agreements to terminate IBM's rights to copy and furnish, including market, license and distribute, sublicensed products based on SVR3.2 and previous releases, including IBM's AIX operating system product, but retained the right to enjoin IBM, under certain circumstances, from publishing licensed source code.
52. I understand that plaintiff, which was not involved in negotiating the April 1996 Amendment or Amendment No. X, purports to have terminated IBM's rights under the IBM Related Agreements based on alleged breaches by IBM of the IBM Related Agreements. However, for the reasons discussed above, I do not believe that IBM's rights under the IBM Related Agreements can be terminated.
VII. Amendment No. 2 to the Asset Purchase Agreement
53. On the same day that they executed Amendment No. X, Novell and Santa Cruz executed Amendment No. 2 to the Asset Purchase Agreement ("Amendment No. 2"), a true and correct copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 15. I was not involved in negotiating Amendment No. 2, and I do not have personal knowledge as to what it was intended to accomplish and am unable to address what it means.
54. I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Executed: October 3, 2003.
Bedminster, New Jersey
____[siganture]____
Michael J. DeFazio
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