Microsoft Settles With EU
After a nine year-long legal battle, Microsoft has finally
come
to an agreement with the European Union regarding the charge that it maintained
a monopoly by keeping secret detailed information on interfaces to Windows.
The company had recently lost its appeal to the EU Court of First Instance,
and had one further appeal possible.
Microsoft has agreed to three substantial changes in its practices, including
making available detailed and accurate technical documentation on application
interfaces to Windows for a fee of 10,000 Euros. It will also allow that data
to go to open source companies so that servers based on Linux can easily interface
with Windows versions, and will cut the price it charges for worldwide licenses.
Will this agreement herald any changes in Microsoft's competitive position
in the world? Let me know your thoughts at [email protected].
Posted by Peter Varhol on October 23, 2007