Court says Novell owns Unix copyrights

NEW YORK, USA: Novell Inc said a U.S. jury had ruled that it is the owner of copyrights related to Unix computer technology, which SCO Group had asserted as its own.

Novell said the decision by the jury in the District Court of Utah was good news for both the company and Linux, a related open-source computer operating system. Novell also said it was committed to promoting Linux.

Earlier this month Novell rejected a $2 billion takeover offer from investment fund and shareholder Elliott Associates.

It had said the offer. which valued it at $5.75 a share, was inadequate. The company's stock closed at $5.84 on Tuesday.