“Microsoft has responded swiftly to the antitrust action the
European Commission launched earlier today, claiming in a statement
that it already provides all the information its competitors need
in order to have their server software interoperate with
Windows. The Commission has served Microsoft with a “statement
of objections” claiming that it doesn’t, and that it gives unequal
access to information, depending on whether companies are friends
or foes.”
“Microsoft’s readiness to share vital technical information with
its competitors will come as news to many of them; not least Sun
Microsystems, whose complaint to the Commission started this
antitrust process. It will also no doubt surprise Apple, which had
to kick and scream before it could get beta code a few years back.
Apple’s “technical information” problems with QuickTime also
figured in the US trial, and RealNetworks’ Rob Glaser seemed to
have similar problems – ah, how soon they forget…”
“But the pay-off line in the statement is that Microsoft doesn’t
believe the law requires it “to share its secrets with direct
competitors.” Sun argued, successfully, to the Commission that
Microsoft’s monopoly position on the desktop obliged it to provide
greater disclosure than it was prepared to make, and Microsoft is –
somewhat shortsightedly, given Monti’s comments – reverting to the
copyright bolthole.”