Builder UK: Microsoft Server Licence 'Shuts Out' Open Source

"The Free Software Foundation is lobbying the European government to reject the server licence that Microsoft has proposed following the European Commission's antitrust ruling. Microsoft's terms, says the FSF, will mean that open source software such as the widely-used Samba file and print server software, will not be included in the interoperability measures intended by the EU.

"Earlier this week Microsoft said that it would not appeal a EC court order to immediately implement antitrust sanctions, although it still hopes to overturn last year's antitrust ruling. To comply with the ruling, Microsoft has agreed to grant licences to rival makers of server software to allow them to write applications that can 'achieve full interoperability' with Windows client and server operating systems. This licence must be granted on 'reasonable and non-discriminatory terms,' according to an EU statement..."

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• vnunet: Most European Developers Back Open Source(Jan 17, 2005)