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Microsoft changes policy on access by other companies
Washington, Dec 04: Microsoft has decided to allow other technology companies to gain more access to its software research and code, allowing some access for free, and some for a fee.
Washington, Dec 04: Microsoft has decided to allow other technology companies to gain more access to its software research and code, allowing some access for free, and some for a fee.
"By making more of our intellectual property available for licensing to others, we will be able to create new opportunities for technology collaboration," Microsoft's general counsel, Brad Smith said yesterday.
Smith said the move should result in more product choices for consumers.
The announcement builds on recent steps that Microsoft took to comply with its landmark antitrust settlement with federal regulators.
Smith said the opening up of more proprietary information was not linked to the antitrust case in the European Union.
"Really I don't see the announcement as related directly to the issues in Brussels," he told a conference call.
"It's consistent with the kind of steps that others in the industry have been encouraging us to take."
The decision comes now "largely because we've been talking with these companies for a year in the Silicon Valley and elsewhere."
Previously, Microsoft had made its technologies available only to companies of its choosing on a case-by-case basis.
Bureau Report
"By making more of our intellectual property available for licensing to others, we will be able to create new opportunities for technology collaboration," Microsoft's general counsel, Brad Smith said yesterday.
Smith said the move should result in more product choices for consumers.
The announcement builds on recent steps that Microsoft took to comply with its landmark antitrust settlement with federal regulators.
Smith said the opening up of more proprietary information was not linked to the antitrust case in the European Union.
"Really I don't see the announcement as related directly to the issues in Brussels," he told a conference call.
"It's consistent with the kind of steps that others in the industry have been encouraging us to take."
The decision comes now "largely because we've been talking with these companies for a year in the Silicon Valley and elsewhere."
Previously, Microsoft had made its technologies available only to companies of its choosing on a case-by-case basis.
Bureau Report