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Microsoft Extends Olive Branch to SPA

Although Microsoft Corp. is a member of the Software Publishers Association (Washington, www.spa.org), the company and the group haven't exactly been buddy-buddy lately (see "SPA to DOJ: The Problem is NT").

Last week, however, Microsoft tried to patch up the relationship by sponsoring the annual SPA conference in Chicago. In addition, Tod Nielsen, Microsoft's general manager of developer relations and platform marketing, delivered a keynote address at the conference, entitled "State of the Software Industry: Myths and Facts."

"Our membership in the SPA is an important avenue into working with leading software vendors to promote the health of the industry, provide education on key issues that impact the industry, and ensure a constant stream of exciting, innovative computing applications and solutions for business and consumer markets," Nielsen said.

In response to Microsoft's expressions of good will, SPA President Ken Wasch had this to say: "We are happy to have Microsoft as a sponsor of this exciting conference... We look forward to working more closely with Microsoft in the coming months to tackle some of these tough issues and ensure a vital and prosperous future."

No sign yet of a request by the SPA for the Department of Justice to call off the anti-trust dogs, however. -- Michele Rosen, Staff Reporter/New York Correspondent

About the Author

Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.

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