Microsoft to license some intellectual property

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Let's use an example...

One can assume MS will continue to evolve their product line and we'll use MS Exchange as an example.

The courts have already ruled that it is perfectly alright to NOT publish certain security API's. (See: Judge K.K. ruling.)

As everyone knows Exchange needs improved security so MS writes the code requiring a more secure log in. (Perhaps with DRM identification.) They also license the IP that makes this work to for-profit third party vendors.

This now meets the courts requirements in everyway, however it does not make this information available to the open source community. Even if they did make it available, the information can NOT be released under the GPL. In fact one would assume part of the license will include a NDA along with other incentives to keep it proprietary.

The end result is obvious, MS moves ahead, third party for-profit companies move ahead, open source is simply left wanting.

One can easily see this happen with a good number of products that are serve centric. The DRM/security aspect of logging in will place a huge road block to open source being able to communicate with MS servers while it promotes the for-profit companies licensing the IP.

People, I know you don't want to hear this and it raises your neck hairs but you surly must understand that MS is/will differentiate their products in a manner to compete against open source. No, this isn't a "lock in", third party for-profit companies can and will build competing products, but it does leave open source out in the cold.

Posted by: No_Ax_to_Grind   Posted on: 12/03/03 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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