[Am-info] Microsoft moves to comply with DOJ settlement deal

[Roy Bixler]

On Tue, Aug 06, 2002 at 07:01:49PM +0100, Jeff Wasel wrote:
> This came over a bit ago, courtesy of Computerworld. I strongly suggest
> using the link within the story to M$' press release. It's rather disturbing
> reading for a couple of reasons. First, they are getting royalties for the
> material they release to competitors, etc. It seems to me they should have
> to do this gratis, given that they appear to have escaped a fine; the second
> thing is the APIs will also be fee-based, and lastly, there is a digital
> rights provision in the referenced SPs that allows M$ access to your box for
> what ever reason! This was confirmed on the list and through the Register,
> and to no one's surprise, not mentioned by M$ in this release. I cannot
> accept any argument for IP rights in this case. For the most part it is old
> technology anyway, and moreover, could almost be viewed as an "accessory" to
> the crime! Fees my ass. It is unbelievable at this stage of the game they
> are still being rewarded for bad behaviour, let alone being able to access
> your machine via some questionable EULA "rights"... UGH!

That seems pretty suspect.  Just what do they mean by "starting at $5 *per
server*"?  It is wrong that they should be generating any revenue from
these so-called sanctions but I suspect they're telling the truth when they
say that the don't see the fees as a significant revenue gnerator.  Instead
the fees are merely designed to make it impossible for open source projects
to use the protocols and API's disclosed under the settlement.  But
nothing new here;  Microsoft says they do not intend to give away their
intellectual property and the seattlement indeed doesn't force them to do
that.

Here's a link to another story on this:

http://www.crn.com/Sections/BreakingNews/dailyarchives.asp?ArticleID=36755

The second to the last paragraph where they talk about Novell's reaction
is of particular interest.  Novell is decidedly unenthusiastic.  I wonder
why.  Could it be the DOJ seattlement doesn't go far enough to help them
much?

R.