If the license is compatible to GPL code (meaning that code from sun can be put in GPLed projects), then Linux gets a huge boost as features will be ported over and improved. If it is also compatible from GPLed code (its possible to take GPLed code and put it in Solaris) I'd expect Solaris to get any features Linux has and it lacks in short order. Both products can come out winners in this.
The short amount of reading I have done on this says Sun will have some licensing issues. They may not initially be able to provide something that is fully open. They will have to separate their code from that of vendors who object to fully open source. I agree that it can provide some boosts to Linux just as IBM's less ambitious releasing of components of AIX like JFS. Anything that is returned to the public domain for consumption can be counted as a benefit for the science of building software.
How long will it take for more companies to start to understand the balance of the commercialization of a science, and the benefits of free discussion in scientific communities. It seems there is some balance in areas like pharmaceuticals, and other industries, but in computers there are few players sharing albeit some large ones(IBM, Sun, CA) are now, but to limited degrees. I suppose I cannot expect it to ever be unlimited.
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"You better cut the pizza in four pieces because I'm not hungry enough to eat six."
--Yogi Bera
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