IBM should consider release of source code for OS2

[James Love <love@cptech.org>]

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Info-Policy-Notes | News from Consumer Project on Technology 
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June 8, 1998

-   Letter from Ralph Nader and James Love 
    to IBM CEO Louis V. Gerstner, Jr.
    Letter suggests 

    "IBM should consider following the 
    Netscape example, and release the 
    source code for OS2, and permit 
    computer users to modify and freely 
    distribute copies of OS2"

The letter follows:


(http://www.essential.org/antitrust/ms/lvgjun8.html)

June 8, 1998



                     Ralph Nader
                     P.O. Box 19312
                     Washington, DC 20036
                     Ralph@essential.org

                     James Love
                     Consumer Project on Technology
                     P.O. Box 19367, Washington, DC 20036
                     202.387.8030
                     http://www.cptech.org
                     love@cptech.org
  
June 8, 1998

Louis V. Gerstner, Jr.
Chairman and CEO 
IBM
New Orchard Road
Armonk, NY 10504
Via fax 914 499 6007

Dear Mr. Gerstner,

	We are writing to ask that IBM stop forcing customers who buy IBM
personal computers to purchase Microsoft Windows.  You should give your
PC customers an opportunity to buy a non-Microsoft operating system, or
at a minimum to permit the consumer to buy a PC from IBM without any
operating system.

	We were surprised to learn that IBM will not permit consumers to buy
IBM Aptiva computers with IBM's OS2 operating system installed.  Indeed,
when consumers contact IBM to purchase an Aptiva computer, they are told
that the only way to get OS2 is to buy a PC with Microsoft Windows 95
installed, and then pay an extra $199 ($275 in one call) for a shrink
wrapped copy of OS2, which consumers will have to install themselves. 
While the Microsoft End-User License Agreement (EULA) says that a
consumer who does not agree to the terms of the Microsoft Windows 95
license can return the software to IBM for a refund, IBM tells consumers
that the refund is zero.

	Millions of OS2 users are bitterly disappointed at IBM's failure to
promote and improve the OS2 platform as an alternative to Microsoft
Windows.  Perhaps IBM should consider following the Netscape example,
and release the source code for OS2, and permit computer users to modify
and freely distribute copies of OS2.   We would like to discuss this
matter further with you or your staff.


Sincerely,

/s/   

Ralph Nader

/s/

James Love


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