Microsoft Takes a Dump on the European Commission

The EU demanded that monopolist Microsoft open their protocols. To even out the competitive field, the EU's requirement would let competitors interoperate with Microsoft server products or act as ISV's and offer applications on the server platform. This decision goes back to the notion that Microsoft at one time promised to keep its OS separate from any applications it developed.

In typical fashion, Microsoft handed over documentation but it did not meet the standard required by the commission. The European Commission issued Microsoft a warning that the Redmond company could face a retroactive fine of up to $2.37 million a day for failing to comply with its antitrust order.

So what does Microsoft do? Microsoft dumped their entire code and handed it over to the commission to settle the matter. Considering how quickly Microsoft changes its code base, this seems fraught with peril.

Microsoft wants the EC to buy this as compliance with the order and the EC is considering it. Hello folks across the pond! Don't accept it because it's unacceptable. Make Microsoft live up to both the letter of the law and the spirit of the law.

Microsoft should publish documentation that allows licensees to use the technology. It requires Microsoft to gear up a program for a different kind of partner - a licensee. These programs require engineers, support, updates, conferences, educational courses, agreements, different licenses, managers, etc.

Microsoft either gets with the program or force them to pay the fine and fine them some more. They dumped on you, now dump on them.