A representative of the European Commission faced down a Microsoft exec on the BBC Radio 4 programme this morning, accusing it of holding a press shindig in Brussels but not popping round the corner to tell it what was going on. Microsoft may have briefed hacks and others on the elements of source code it is prepared to give its competitors, said an EC representative, but as far as the organisation was concerned it has still not complied with the terms of the agreement.
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Member since:2005-10-19
Member since:2005-11-05
Microsoft have not been asked to provide source code. They have offered to provide source code as a way of trying to get out of what the EU has directed them to do, which is to provide specifications that will enable third-party software to interoperate better with MS software. Why? Because the EU feels that Microsoft is exploiting its monopoly unfairly and needs reigning in. This is hardly controversial in view of court rulings over the years in the United States and, probably, elsewhere.
If Microsoft are allowed to go down the source code route, then they will make it so hard to make use of their "open code" that no one will be able to use it, whereas once specifications are made public it's game over on that front. Look on it as like releasing the specs for a plug that can fit into an electrical socket. No one needs to know how the wiring works, only how to plug into a socket.
Microsoft have also offered to provide source code as a way of trying to manipulate public opinion. Look at the barrage of articles in the press over the past few days. It seems their ploy has worked in your case.
Member since:2005-11-02
... It still doesn't make sense for MS to provide them with source code.
You are falling for the whole MS obfuscation on this isuue. The EU does not want source code it is the MS lawyers that keep wittering on about MS being forced to release source code and know pulling this publicity stunt about allowing limited access to the code.
What the EU wants is for MS to release specifications to its computer communication interfaces together with full documentation. Ideally such a release would be freely reditributable, GPL compatible and consequently fully open. Unfortunately the EU does not appear to be going this far as they seem to accept some form of licence and fees that would preclude FOSS access to the protocols. Either way the EU is not asking for the release of a single line of code.
For those US paranoids that think this is aimed at US companies - they have got the wrong end of the stick. The EU is trying to correct MS's anti-competitive behaviour. This is something the US courts have tried to achieve but have effectively failed to deliver. If the EU proves successful here, the benefits would be available to US companies and it would help level the competitive playing field against MS in the US as well as Europe. It would be a good thing globally for IT companies and organizations.
Edited 2006-01-28 04:04
Member since:
2005-10-20
Do you actually read what is asked?
Microsoft has abused antimonopoly laws. There is a punishment - for that, to get a relief to market, get a competition going on again, they should give a specifications for communication protocols, so competetive products could communicate with _Microsoft_ products. So it is actually gives them back - I won't be forced to change entire network with Apple and Linux workstations because I can't really trust Windows 2000 domain server for authentification.
Ohhh, they just wanted to leave lock-in? Their bad.