“U.S. District Judge Ronald Whyte, who is overseeing the Sun
Microsystems Inc. vs. Microsoft Corp. suit over Java, has
tentatively ruled that, under certain conditions, Microsoft (MSFT)
does not have to pass Sun’s Java compatibility tests for
‘independently developed works.'”
“Microsoft has sought the right to develop and distribute
technology that performs functions similar to Sun’s Java. According
to the ruling, Microsoft is seeking the right to develop and market
‘independently developed Java Technology.’ Sun has maintained that
the original Java license forged between the two companies
contained no mention of independent works or patent-license
provisions.”
“The judge on Tuesday issued tentative rulings on three of the
10 motions that Sun made for summary judgment. A hearing on the
three rulings is slated for June 24 in U.S. District Court in San
Jose, Calif.”