Give it Back.
As you know, Sun's open source software and microprocessor strategy has been, at times controversial. We've filled trade journals and chat rooms with all kinds of dialog and the occasional crackpot conspiracy theory.
As many have rightly assumed from the outset, that controversy was, in fact, not a byproduct of the strategy - it was the strategy: if you're talking about Sun, you're not talking about the other guy. And then you'll buy a datacenter.
But now that we've firmly established our reputation for open source leadership, I'm very worried there's no more controversy to be had. There's too much trust in the system, and too much clarity around our strategic intent. So it's getting tougher and tougher to kick up a storm - and we can't very well spend a billion dollars or change our ticker symbol every time we want to generate a headline. Now can we?
So today I'd like to unfurl the second chapter of our strategy.
We want you to give it all back. You couldn't possibly believe we'd let you keep it, did you?
We specifically request that all free software originally distributed by Sun Microsystems, related to software or microprocessors, including but not limited to source files, binaries, derivatives, extensions, applications, patents, patent applications, copyrights, ideas, thoughts, and derivative thoughts, along with any and all mirrors thereof, be returned immediately.
In addition, (we know this is the risky part, but we need to get the privacy advocates twittering, too), we demand all data processed, stored or created by such intellectual property, up to and including all data held within file systems, databases or open source productivity applications be returned, as well. Up to and including the book report your kid just typed on OpenOffice.
We'd like to request this all be returned within thirty days.
Thank you for your understanding.
______________________________
And although it pains me to say this, we do live in a litigious society, so: YES, this is an April Fool's joke, as defined by relevant sections of the United States Securities Act of 1933.
Posted on 12:35PM Apr 01, 2008 | Comments[36]
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Frankly, this was one of the least believable April fool's day attempts. :)
Posted by Chandru on April 01, 2008 at 01:06 PM PDT #
which part of the license is this stated in?
Posted by jess on April 01, 2008 at 01:16 PM PDT #
Thanks for the April fool! You did not surprise me because of the previous post.
Posted by opteron on April 01, 2008 at 01:27 PM PDT #
Where should I upload my files? jonathan.schwartz@sun.com? ? ? ;)
Posted by Anton Parol on April 01, 2008 at 01:42 PM PDT #
What? Here's my my response to that:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu_moia-oVI
Posted by Robert on April 01, 2008 at 01:50 PM PDT #
Thank God this is an April Fool :-) Otherwise what would this world do without OpenSource Software ?
Posted by Ashwin on April 01, 2008 at 02:08 PM PDT #
I read all of that link and it does not mention April Fool anywhere.
Posted by Tom Hall on April 01, 2008 at 02:10 PM PDT #
Damn, is that the best you can do?
Couldn't you make reference to putting it all in a lake, or something?
Posted by Jim Thompson on April 01, 2008 at 02:21 PM PDT #
Please refund/profund any and all monies that would or would not have been paid by me had the free software I have used not been available.
I accept cash, and for your convenience, google checkout.
Thank you.
Posted by Jason Dodd on April 01, 2008 at 02:30 PM PDT #
I think the US needs to have March 31 replace April 1 as April Fool's Day. This will allow a) more people to be caught out and b) those of us who are now in April 2 already, to be able to use this stuff in our own pranks. Just a thought...
Posted by Tony on April 01, 2008 at 03:18 PM PDT #
No.
Posted by andrew burke on April 01, 2008 at 03:24 PM PDT #
Whew, that's a good one. It's a good thing it's April's Fool day it would have been scary just to think about it considering I use a lot of great open source software supported by Sun.
Posted by kihbord on April 01, 2008 at 03:24 PM PDT #
Lamest. April Fool's Day. Joke. Ever.
Posted by whystopnow on April 01, 2008 at 03:27 PM PDT #
Gosh! Jonathan I thought you are better than this. b/w open office logo is missing in your list of icons..
Posted by neon on April 01, 2008 at 03:44 PM PDT #
Oh! I should tell this bad news to my thesis project co-workers. I have told them to use Netbeans IDE and Glassfish for our open source project. I should have guessed:)
Posted by Özmen Adibelli on April 01, 2008 at 04:06 PM PDT #
“You sheltered me from harm… kept me warm… “ *
*
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everything_I_Own
Posted by Carolyn on April 01, 2008 at 04:21 PM PDT #
What's open source ? Can I get my money back ?
Posted by Tom Jordan on April 01, 2008 at 04:21 PM PDT #
Even a *joke* nod to privacy from you *does* rather set me a twitter Jonathan! Note to self, schedule vacation & get new hobbies... ;-)
Posted by CPO Gal on April 01, 2008 at 04:57 PM PDT #
I'd be happy to see your press release re earnings for the third quarter for May 1..Match what is stated on your investor relations automated information site that as of today was still saying April 21. OR was that an APRIL FOOLS JOKE also. Seriously, cmon Jonathan that's a basic and should have been corrected quickly along with an explanation for the oops. Some might even consider that transparency.
Support of Java and you but no tolerance for basic mistakes from a company that has you as a CEO and is cutting edge.
Thank you
Fintas
Posted by Fintas on April 01, 2008 at 06:55 PM PDT #
Well, that brings to mind one very large IT company's typical behaviour, however I struggle to see a long term future for them, even with concerted clandestine efforts, to promote their patent encumbered, overly complex standard through ISO. I cannot see how they can possibly compete with the innovation in the Open Source and Free Software global communities. Just look at this recent development:
http://blogs.sun.com/storage/en_US/entry/what_we_re_watching_lori
Posted by Peter on April 01, 2008 at 09:41 PM PDT #
No mine, no longer yours.
However from a business perception it is not always good for MYSQL to keep on having a facelift. The branding thing.
Why not change the product reference name rather to something that suit MYSQL and probably justify the company and change open source which are so overrated and if truth be dared say MYSQL software is so open that it contributes to the diverse programming sector.
And as for strategy, why not change open source to free source.
That is more a justification to the name. It would also make the competition sorry opposition squirm.
And as for the conspiracy theory now I have started a real one.
Posted by Ekrobot on April 01, 2008 at 11:02 PM PDT #
I rather liked this April Fools blog entry. I just don't understand why people are so sensitive, especially around 1st of April
Posted by Jan on April 02, 2008 at 03:49 AM PDT #
Your April fools blog post reminds me of the NetApp patent litigation against Sun - did you just copy and paste it? ;-)
Posted by Kevin Hutchinson on April 02, 2008 at 09:47 AM PDT #
Are you still going on about MySQL? Why do you bother with that toy when you already had PostgreSQL, a real database?
BTW, you joke, but until recently what you describe is _exactly_ what Sun's strategy was with regard to the free software / open source community. Considering that you strangled Java aborning with your restrictive license terms, alternately mocked and slavishly copied Linux, etc etc. Forgive us if it takes us a while to see the humor.
Finally, "And although it pains me to say this, we do live in a litigious society", pathetic and cowardly.
Posted by J. A. Sturmthrond on April 02, 2008 at 11:08 AM PDT #
Sun Microsystems is becoming a global company and not every country in the world subscribes to the April Fool tradition besides the time zone differences and international date line. One hurdle to decide between Linux and Solaris is someday what you say may become true. Any hint of the possibility of an unreasonable demand however improbable or impractical should be avoided. This is no joking matter.
Posted by Philip Law on April 02, 2008 at 11:37 AM PDT #
I cannot see how they can possibly compete with the innovation in the Open Source and Free Software global communities. Just look at this recent development
Posted by prefabrike on April 02, 2008 at 11:49 AM PDT #
Classic! Best April Fools of the year, hands down. You get an automatic +999 for having the guts as a CEO to do this. :)
Posted by benr on April 02, 2008 at 01:00 PM PDT #
YOU CAN TAKE IT FROM MY COLD DEAD HANDS, JONATHAN!1
I was enjoying the beginning of April until I read Jonathan's SCATHING THREAT TO US ALL!
Jonathan, I have news for you: I have one line of code SITTING IN FRONT OF ME. It is covered with glitter and I put a bow on it, because I was under the impression that it was opensourced, and I could modify it however I chose. Well, I have it: AND I AM NOT RETURNING IT!
Viva la revolucion!
Posted by tamr on April 02, 2008 at 01:02 PM PDT #
For those of you who haven't figured it out yet (and based on comments many haven't) the "YES, this is an April Fool's joke, as defined by relevant sections of the United States Securities Act of 1933." isn't referring to Securities Act defining an April Fool's joke - check Section 17a-17d.
Also, this was a bit weak for an April Fool's joke - I'll take $250,000 per year to come up with April Fool's web pranks year round for you, if your willing to hire me. (Salary is also quite negotiable)
Posted by Kade Sandlin on April 02, 2008 at 05:02 PM PDT #
Um. You can have NIS back :)
Posted by Charles Soto on April 03, 2008 at 01:28 PM PDT #
Regarding your open source microprocessor strategy
I guess that makes you guys open source to the core...
Posted by CampRen on April 04, 2008 at 02:36 AM PDT #
Dear Jonathan,
Could you please give us the anonymous ftp where we could upload all of the requested files?
Could we keep ZFS and Openoffice for 60 days, as we are using it in production
and we will have to migrate the data to FAT32 and WordPerfect?
Slava Bouttchenko
Posted by slava bouttchenko on April 04, 2008 at 09:35 AM PDT #
Even a *joke* nod to privacy from you *does* rather set me a twitter Jonathan! Note to self, schedule vacation & get new hobbies... ;-)
Posted by kiz oyunlari on April 12, 2008 at 08:18 AM PDT #
How about mid-May, say 514? I promise to bring it back, by then. :)
Posted by Markr on April 12, 2008 at 08:36 AM PDT #
Nice and sunny blog. This one and the previous one too. There is a lot of dignity and beauty in giving the way Sun has been offering its services. Its just the the real sun giving sunshine freely, the breeze that never questions any living thing's right to breath and the patient Earth we walk on and brutalise. I do not wish to spoil the fun but...Whales are mammals and so many of these biologically non degradable ones are floating on your front lawn. Sun Microsystems is one place which other places would ape blindly. Imagine how many such plastic whales will then jump across the lawns? There is a nice feel to this blog some thing like when you peep into a well and shout. The voice echo comes back, that kinda feel and sometimes memory brings back some sun-lit days. This blog feels like one of those breezy, heady spring noons. Thanks for sharing Sun and all!
Posted by Rina Tripathi on April 14, 2008 at 12:08 AM PDT #
Jonathan,
Close your eyes, take deep breath and tell yourself you will keep this as memorable April fool day, for everyone ...forever.
You are leading the only organization, left on the planet that has tools and technologies, which competes with the major vendor. Surprisingly no one notices the (careful) gradual demise of all major programming languages on Windows platform.
Cannot imagine a day without Sun's "open/free" tools and technologies.
Keep it alive and kicking.
Posted by Mayur Patel on April 17, 2008 at 02:06 PM PDT #