SCO Group has begun targeting Australian Linux users in its legal campaign to claim ownership of some code in the open-source operating system.
SCO has engaged lawyers to “contact Linux users” about its controversial Linux licensing scheme, after its US legal counsel reached 1500 of the world’s largest Linux users in May.
More at news.com.au.
Considering that SCO has no verified legal claim to Linux, it seems clear that this action is a groundless threat of legal proceedings as described by the Australian Copyright Act 1968 - SECT 202:
Groundless threats of legal proceedings
(1) Where a person, by means of circulars, advertisements or otherwise, threatens a person with an action or proceeding in respect of an infringement of copyright, then, whether the person making the threats is or is not the owner of the copyright or an exclusive licensee, a person aggrieved may bring an action against the first-mentioned person and may obtain a declaration to the effect that the threats are unjustifiable, and an injunction against the continuance of the threats, and may recover such damages (if any) as he or she has sustained, unless the first-mentioned person satisfies the court that the acts in respect of which the action or proceeding was threatened constituted, or, if done, would constitute, an infringement of copyright.
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