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Microsoft JVM Gets Support Extension

Organizations using the Microsoft Java Virtual Machine got a three-year reprieve for phasing out the technology thanks to the recent Microsoft-Sun Microsystems legal settlement.

Microsoft had been set to phase out technical and security support for MSJVM in October of this year. That deadline itself was a nine-month extension negotiated with Sun from an earlier support phase-out deadline.

As part of the settlement announced April 2, Sun allowed Microsoft to extend support for the MSJVM until Dec. 31, 2007. Earlier terms to discourage further use of MSJVM remain in effect -- the MSJVM is not available from Microsoft for distribution and Microsoft will not update the MSJVM other than to fix bugs.

"Recognizing the need to provide a smooth transition for current users of the Microsoft Java Virtual Machine (MSJVM), Sun Microsystems and Microsoft have agreed to extend Microsoft's license to use Sun's Java source code and compatibility test suites," Microsoft said in a statement posted to its Microsoft's MSJVM transition page on April 8.

Sun had alleged in lawsuits that Microsoft abused a monopoly on desktop operating systems to prevent Sun's Java from gaining momentum. The companies settled that and other issues earlier this month in a deal that involved about $2 billion in upfront payments from Microsoft to Sun.

About the Author

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

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