[TriLUG] Fwd: SCO and the FTC

[David A. Cafaro]

Maybe something for people to check out if you are sick and tired of the SCO 
fud flying.  This was posted to another LUG list I'm on.

-David

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [CALUG List] Re: [Fwd: SCO and the FTC]
Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2003 10:31:33 -0400

Someone informed me that you can actually submit your complaint online:
http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/consumer.htm

-J.

On Thu, 2003-08-21 at 09:48, jason wrote:
> This is an email that was sent to another list I was on.  Basically, you
> can call the FTC as described below and submit a complaint against SCO. 
> If they get enough, they're likely to open an investigation against
> them.  It took me all of 3 minutes to complete the call.  Let's show SCO
> that their behavior is unacceptable!
> 
> -J.
> 
> -----Forwarded Message-----
> Subject: [staph] SCO and the FTC
> Date: 21 Aug 2003 09:44:59 -0400
> 
> 
> [From a Slashdot posting....]
> 
> I just got off the phone with the FTC. If everyone calls and complains 
> then the chances they will investigate SCO goes up. They look for 
> patterns. In other words, if the majority of their calls are about SCO 
> then they will investigate. It is time to take the Slashdot effect to the 
> phones.
> 
> These are the key points to make:
> 
> -You did not purchase software from SCO
> -The company that "produced" your software did not purchase it from SCO
> -It was not marketed or packaged by SCO
> -Despite this SCO is asking for $199 from home users (You) and $699 from 
> business for 1 CPU
> 
> They will ask for your name, phone number, address etc. That is mostly to 
> verify your identity and citizenship I think.
> 
> Here is the number:
> 
> 1-877-382-4357 option 4
> 
> They are nice and listen well. The lady I talked to even took the time to 
> get a better understanding of what Linux is. The best quote from her "You 
> didn't purchase it from them and they want you to pay them? That sounds 
> crazy."
> --
> Call FTC 1-877-382-4357 opt 4
> -You didn't buy from SCO
> -Vendor didn't either
> -They want $199 ...
> 
>             Here's some information that may help. They actually asked for 
> this info:
> 
>             The SCO Group
>             355 South 520 West
>             Suite 100
>             Lindon, Utah 84042
> 
>             801-765-4999 phone
> 
>             The guy I spoke with was actually somewhat familiar with what 
> Linux is. One of his first questions was how this company got involved 
> with me, which my answer was "Well, that's the problem. They didn't."
> 
>             He eventually asked if SCO has contacted me personally with 
> regard to this situation, which they have not. Don't lie to them. Be 
> completely truthful. At the end of the call I got a reference number, and 
> he said that if SCO does contact me personally, I should call back and let 
> them know.
> 
>             It was very easy to do, and took about 5 minutes of my time. 
> The recording while I wated for the counselor to pick up the phone did say 
> that the FTC does track trends in complaints. If we get enough people to 
> complain, something will happen. Please, take a few minutes and call! 

-- 
David A. Cafaro <dac(at)cafaro.net>
Sys Admin to User: "You did what?!?"