Here's an abysmal article on SCO and the MyDoom virus, from the BBC: BBC NEWS | Business | Linux cyber-battle turns nasty. The article is loaded with inaccurate information, speculation, and judgemental language. Among other things, the author insinuates that SCO's case against IBM is a patent dispute, that SCO has "patented Linux", that 800,000 lines of source code are in dispute, and that the case is scheduled for court next year. In fact, the case is in court right now, and SCO has made no formal claims based on patents or copyrights. It's claims against IBM are a dispute over contracts. SCO claims ownership of innovations produced at IBM. They have admitted in legal documents that they don't know what the infringing code is, because they have never seen it, because it originated at IBM and was distributed by IBM. If the court rules that, by a specious interpretation of their contracts, SCO owns IBM's source code, then they could proceed with a copyright claim against recent Linux kernels. Perhaps most annoying is the author's claims about the origins of the MyDoom virus:

If anyone's anger has no measure, it is the wrath of internet zealots who believe that code should be free to all (open source). So, it seems likely that the perpetrators of the MyDoom virus and its variants are internet vandals with a specific grudge. ...The attack also raises the possibility of internet blackmail, with companies threatened by individuals or even an individual who might be anywhere. This attack, though, is not blackmail. It is about malice not money.

Actually, it is not known who originated the MyDoom virus or why. One theory adopted by some experts is that the virus was authored by Russian spammers who had no particular interest in Linux or SCO, except perhaps as a distraction. This coverage is as bad as the BBC's report on the "Florida Medical Student Terrorists/Darkies at a Shoney's in Georgia" coverage in Fall, 2002, when they just repeated sensationalist garbage from American media, long after it had been discredited. Followup: The Slashdot comments on this topic are actually pretty good. Here are some quotes:

"mirco" writes: Well, if MyDoom is indeed "la creme de la creme" in terms of Windows programing, then it is obvious its author is an expert Windows developer, isn't it ? So, it is quite flattering for the Linux community to associate any of its member to a multiplatform coding genius. "sniggly" adds: Is your reporter Stephen Evans aware that MyDoom is a virus that is perpetrated by MS Windows machines? Meaning the virus was written to run ON windows BY a windows programmer... Could Mr. Evans please next time indicate where on earth he finds the factual evidence to support his amazing theory that mydoom is the "wrath of internet zealots who believe that code should be free to all", or are we now to believe the BBC supports baseless ranting against a group as diverse as those who support open source software? Couldn't it easily have been caused by disgruntled shareholders, maglignant ex employees or al quaeda for that matter? "arivanov" says: All you needed to do is point them to the securityfocus information and the kasperski press releases that clearly state that 1. The virus was posted via well known SPAM network used in counterfeight software peddling. This is also the reason why the infection went through the roof so fast (it got to too many people in too short time). 2. The virus has generally been traced to russian SPAM gangs. It is nothing to do with linux, sco, msft. It is just business as usual.

The Slashdot comments also point out some changes made to the article since it was first posted. (In fact, I could swear it was different the second time I read it). Hmmm.....