Will protect its Linux customers, defending them in court at HP's cost, will indemnify users buying servers, workstations if they are sued by SCO. HP is first major sever vendor to protect customer base on serious hardware. [The Register]

Main item of note for tour is premier sponsor: HP. Last week, HP jumped ahead of IBM and Dell to say it will protect users from SCO if they face court battle over Linux use, if they agree to use unmodified Linux versions. [The Register]

HP appeared as premier sponsor on SCO City-to-City Tour Web site, logo was displayed well and fully, showing their backing SCO October user conference tour. Then, a few hours later, HP banner vanished. [The Register]

Hewlett-Packard joins fray over whether Linux contains unlawful Unix code. Martin Fink, an HP vice president, said HP would indemnify its customers against any legal liability from using Linux. [eWeek]

Hewlett-Packard takes up SCO challenge to Linux users with indemnification against SCO lawsuits; move not as bold as it looks: HP thinks legal risks are so small, it's willing to assume them to make customers feel more secure. [eWeek]

HP open source chief Martin Fink says Linux can't stay hobbyist toy if it's to become a leading OS, talks of SCO suit, indemnification, growth, Microsoft, IBM, desktop Linux, Sun, Red Flag. [CNET.com]