What this means for Linux: win/win (Score 4, Insightful)

The way I see this, this can only help Linux in the long run. If IBM wins, and it seems likely it will, we could start to see large chunks of AIX/UNIX code released under the GPL. If the UNIX code is declared generic, inhibitions to release unix-like code under the GPL will decrease substantially. On the other hand, if all hell breaks loose and IBM looses the rights to distribute AIX the results will be even more immediate. The "disputed" code will be replaced under the GPL by our programmers, and life will go on. *Most importantly* SCO cannot win this, because winning places a monsterous shadow of FUD over UNIX. Companies will think twice about investing in UNIX if they have to fear the fickle whims of SCO. This will be very interesting.