I think that anything that microsoft does is done with the sole purpose being to lock out and attack anything that they see as a threat, except viruses and software bugs. However they seem to do things in such a way that it doesn't seem obvious unless you look at the big picture.
linux's biggest problem is the fact that most people don't even know it exists and think that it is a high maintenance hacker OS.:(
they think that there is a safety net when dealing with Microsoft that Microsoft will "make it all better" when things get messed up.
legal wise with EULAs and such MS and Linux are about the same. they both work, although they don't make any claims that it will undoubtedly work. If it doesn't work your SOL and there isn't really anyone that will take responsibility for it not working or ruining your computer.
i don't think that microsoft or SCO are going to get anywhere. Once Micrsoft starts infecting every facet of a person's computer they will most likely change once they get fed up with:
spyware, adware, malware, programs that insist on installing little nuggets of files and dll's and cfg files all over your system so that when you finally decide that you have had enough of a particular peice of crap program you can't even delete the whole thing because there are files strewn about your computer and your registry. Or programs instisting on installing without asking you, numerous programs that think they are so important that they must be loaded up at start up and make sure you computer takes three days to load.:mad:
once people get fed up they will switch.:p