Judge: Microsoft Antitrust Pact Working
Fri January 23, 2004 02:14 PM ET
(Page 2 of 2)
It's the second time Microsoft has agreed to streamline the server protocol licenses. Last year, Microsoft took other steps to make the licenses more attractive and address other Justice Department concerns about the settlement.
But to date, only 11 companies have signed licenses for the Windows protocols. The department said most have been for development of niche products that are unlikely to spur the broad competition to the Windows desktop.
Stephen Houck, the attorney for a group of state attorneys general who are also part of the settlement, said the shortcomings in the licensing were a major problem.
"We regard it as one of the most important provisions in the judgment," Houck said. "We believe there is much more that can and should be done to make this program work as it should."
But Kollar-Kotelly was unperturbed. She said some of Microsoft's competitors might be holding off on licensing the Windows protocols because they are waiting for the outcome of "external proceedings," a reference to a separate antitrust case the European Commission is pursuing against Microsoft.
Instead Kollar-Kotelly praised Microsoft and the department for working cooperatively on other parts of the settlement.
"I am pleased to see that the parties seem to be cooperatively resolving the complaints that have been raised," the judge said.
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