[Am-info] STATES SEEK MICROSOFT WINDOWS SOURCE CODE

[Geoffrey]

I don't want windows source code.  And I don't want Office to be ported 
to Linux.  I believe the answer is for Microsoft to publish their file 
formats.  I've just posted the following to another list.  What do you 
folks think?

"I've come to the conclusion that we need to get the word out. I've 
heard that the hold out states on the Microsoft trial want Microsoft to 
port Office to Linux.  I don't know about you, but I don't want Office 
taking my Linux box down.  I think the proper solution is for Microsoft 
to publish their file formats.  What do you folks think?  I want to get 
a petition going.  I've dead serious about this.

Anyone know how you would go about this, from the legal standpoint?  I 
can throw up a site for this purpose on no time, but how do I get it to 
the right people, so that it can be 'heard?'"


Erick Andrews wrote:
> On Thu, 14 Feb 2002 16:29:38 -0500, Fred A. Miller wrote:
> 
> 
>>-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
>>Hash: SHA1
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>>STATES SEEK MICROSOFT WINDOWS SOURCE CODE
>>(Source: InfoWorld.com) The state attorneys general still
>>pursuing the antitrust case against Microsoft have asked a
>>federal judge to force the company to show them the inner
>>workings of its flagship product.
>>
>>http://www.idg.net/go.cgi?id=640472
>>
>>
> 
> This is interesting.  The article reports:
> 
> ---------------------------------
> "This is the equivalent of demanding of Coke that they turn
> over the formula," said Andrew Gavil, a professor of antitrust
> law at Howard University. "This is exactly what Microsoft
> wanted to avoid."
> 
> In Tuesday's motion, the states also asked the judge to appoint 
> a technical expert to help provide "impartial opinions on the
> complex, highly technical issues raised by the parties ...."
> ---------------------------------
> 
> Is there a precedent for this?  Only thing that quickly comes
> to mind might be the "O-Rings" designed by Morton Thiokol.
> 
> 


-- 
Until later: Geoffrey		esoteric@3times25.net

"...the system (Microsoft passport) carries significant risks to users that
are not made adequately clear in the technical documentation available."
- David P. Kormann and Aviel D. Rubin, AT&T Labs - Research
- http://www.avirubin.com/passport.html