HP...singing a new tune?

Man...talk about sending out mixed messages. After threatening to file suit against SnoSoft for releasing an exploit of HP's Tru64 Unix OS, HP engineers are now reported to be calling security consultants looking for more information on potential exploits. One cannot help but wonder if they are sincere about plugging the holes or just exploring the potential of a new revenue stream based on DMCA-orientated legal manuvers. Check the report from www.wired.com.

http://www.wired.com/news/technology...,54297,00.html

"Trust" is the operative word for a question of this type i believe. The level of trust between any two parties determines the amount of "unedited" or spontaneous or sensitive information that will pass between them. For instance, if you knew that someone had their lawyers write letters asking for information of a sensitive nature, would you give it to them? Probably not. If you knew that someone threatened a serious lawsuit against someone with a recipe for salsa, would you give them your recipe for salsa? Probably not. To make it even simpler, back in college Janie was the girlfriend of Muggs Benson, the 275-lb 7'6" captain of the wrestling team, and you knew he had a really bad temper; would you walk up to Janie, pat her on the bun and ask her for a date, trusting she wouldn't tell Muggs who was definitely going to bust your chops? Probably not. ...Then, on the other hand, if you would have chatted up Janie thinking Mugs was going to smile just because it was 'you', then by all means spill your guts on something they could sue your a$$ off to any company with a publicly-known predilection to litigation. Hey, the lawyers need easy jobs too.... :D

Yeah...trust is definitely what this is all about, and if HP doesn't apologize to SnoSoft publicly, then they have pretty well shot themselves in the foot on this one.