potential value in the long-term. but real liability in the near-term. if the company doesn't want to, or thinks that it can't tolerate that risk over whatever

potential value in the long-term. but real liability in the near-term. if the company doesn't want to, or thinks that it can't tolerate that risk over whatever the difference between near & long is, they'll cut the liability loose. to me, this hints at instability in the market and IT sector, which, c'mon, we already know about. so it's likely more of an admission that times are tough, and RHEL/IBM is looking out for themselves.