PCWorld: Is Microsoft Afraid of Open Source?

“Microsoft said that it may have to reduce the prices it charges
for its products, and revenue and operating margins may
consequently decline if the open-source movement continues to gain
market acceptance.

“But an analyst who closely follows Microsoft said that while
Microsoft genuinely perceives the open-source software movement as
a threat, it is unlikely to respond by adjusting its pricing any
time soon.

“‘Microsoft’s response [to the open-source movement] up until
now has been nonmonetary,’ said research director Rob Helm of
Directions on Microsoft, in Kirkland, Washington. ‘It’s loosened up
access to source code, made more efforts to support the government
market, and created online communities that mimic those that
support open-source development projects…'”

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