[CharlesWayneCT]

The e-tailer also questioned why IBM waited until just after Amazon's first profitable quarter to "demand money" for alleged infringement when it had held the disputed patents since the mid-1990s.

Not much point suing before they had any money to take. IBM isn't one to do things for the principle of the thing.

[antiRepublicrat]

IBM isn't one to do things for the principle of the thing.

IBM could have just bought-out SCO back in 2003 as Darl & Co. were hoping, but they've probably spent more money fighting the case than the buyout would have cost. OTOH, it's probably not so much principle as it is keeping the wolves who would threaten their business at bay.