Linux is a Unix

I can't decide if the habit of referring to Linux as if it weren't a unix OS is the fault of seperatist fanatical linux users, or a plot by Microsoft to make it appear that Windows NT has captured the server market.

Probably both. MSNBC reports that in 1999 NT had 38.1% of the server market, while Linux had 24.6% and unix 15.3%. Note that if you add the last two numbers, the result is greater than the NT percentage.

UNIX is a trademark of either Unix System Laboratories or The Open Group, depending on whom you ask. (See The UNIX Trademark) Linux is not a Unix. It's a Unix-like OS.

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Update: yerricde has pointed out to me that The Open Group objects to use of "unix" as a generic name for a type of operating system.