Echoing the reactions of many to Microsoft's decision to open things up this morning, the European Commission issued a statement this morning saying that while it welcomes any moves towards "genuine interoperability," it's not going to believe it until it sees it -- it's counted four similar announcements by Redmond in the past, with nothing to show for it. Of course, Microsoft is currently being investigated for
antitrust violations in Europe, so there's a whispered belief that the new steps are a ploy to derail that process, but that's pretty doubtful -- and the EU's not having it anyway, saying that "Today's announcement by Microsoft does not address the tying allegations." For its part, Microsoft actually agrees, saying that it's opening things up on its own -- the move reflects both "the reality of our unique legal situation" as well as "new opportunities and risks in the connected world." That's certainly an interesting approach -- but we'll see how the EU reacts if and when Microsoft follows through on these promises.
posted Feb 21st 2008 5:16PM
I myself would like open XP because I really don't like vista.
The EU can suck it.
I actually agree with the EU. I don't really trust microsoft, after their habit of making amazing promises but only completing a tenth of it.
they better go opensource! or else buying http://www.micropensoft.com was a waste of my 6 dollars!
Where is Nilay to tell me if it was legal advice or not?!?
OOOOO!!! Bid!!! 10.50!
I'd hate to break it to you, but they wouldn't pay you for that domain. Instead, they would legally threaten you and give you the option to be reimbursed for you $6.
Anyone remember www.mikerowesoft.com? That was the person's NAME and they still took the domain from him!
ReactOS FTW! :-D
ps... i made it a redirect to my site... im not trying to spam!! don't block my commenting! i cant live without it
oh, someone cares about the EU? my bad !
I just wanna see them open any os 3.1 95, 98 , 2000 , nt , xp whatever yall can even open up bob i just wanna see it done
Hey! I don't want to be opened up! Especially by Gates with you watching!
Good old EU...busy flexing its muscles.
As seen from my RSS reader, this post make Microsoft and the EU sound like some bickering couple on the Jetty Springer show.
EU: Aw hells no, you did not just say that!
Microsoft: Oh common boo, I'm tellin' ya straight.
EU: Oh no you diddant just say you gonna open up.
Microsoft: For reals boo, for reals.
For *ITS* part. I'm used to better proofreading from Engadget editors.
I'm not.
Honestly, every time I see that Micropensoft logo, I think it says Micrepeensoft for a second. Don't know why.
me too
Micro penis soft
That wasn't the joke?
Of course they are pessimistic - they would be losing their cash cow and a large source of income :)
No kidding. They get so concerned about MS, get a couple hundred million dollars, and then a year or two later they do the same thing.
Hey, about the logo, shouldn't it look like this-
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/1034/micropensoftve3.jpg
???
Uhh...
http://www.microsoft.com/interop/docs/officebinaryformats.mspx
Someone remind me what the definition of 'open' is?
Microsoft's definition, or the real one?
You mean the EU that has sued MS because they bundle free apps with Windows?
"...it's counted four similar announcements by Redmond in the past, with nothing to show for it."
Um, Mono anyone?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mono_%28software%29
I thought mono was done by a third-party, but I might be wrong.
yeah it was a Novell project
I find it troubling that a government can force a company into adopting "open source" when open source is competing with proprietary source.
The EU government is basically enforcing open source model over proprietary source model. Communist much?
Give me my 95 for free, please.
Open Source XP + DX10 = Gaming XPerience > Vista Experience :D
No joke, I'd be pretty happy with that one. If only there were drivers more easily available for my laptop.