IPR Policies 101: That depends on what you mean by "the"
The important part of Microsoft's covenant not to sue is only one sentence long. Here are about 100 that try to explain what it means.
IBM Weighs in Behind ODF in MA
IBM's Bob Sutor writes to Romney's office to point out that IBM's 5,000 Massachusetts' jobs are squarely behindn ODF
The British Library, XML, and the Rest of the Story
The British Library was prominently featured in the November 22 announcement by Microsoft as a supporter of its plan to offer the Microsoft SML Reference Schema to Ecma and ISO. But what does that exactly mean?
ODF/XML Notes and Reports from All Over (installment IV)
Everybody had a lot to say about Microsoft's announcement last week. Here's a sampling.
IBM Position on Microsoft XML Schema
This week I've been analyzing the Microsoft XML Schema Ecma commitment and covenant not to sue. Here are IBM's questions on the same topic
City on a Hill or Tammany Hall?
In a recent op/ed piece on the Massachusetts legislature's attempt to strip Peter Quinn of his policy power I asked whether the State House would prove to live up to the Commonwealth's ideal of a City on a Hill, or down to Tammany Hall. An article in today's Globe suggests the wrong answer.
The Microsoft Covenant Reexamined
NOTE: The Microsoft covenant that is analyzed below has been amended several times by Microsoft. As a result, the promise at is appears at the Microsoft site is not identical to the one that I reviewed in writing this post. Further, there is no change history at the Microsoft site. As a result, the following analysis is no longer complete or current, and should therefore not be relied upon.
In a previous post, I compared the Microsoft XML Schema covenant not to sue with that offered by Sun in favor of ODF, and concluded it fell short. But how does Microsoft's covenant compare to its old XML Schema? From that perspective, its a real improvement.
Microsoft’s Format Covenant Fails Comparison Test with Sun’s
NOTE: The version of the covenant that is currently posted at the OSP page of the Microsoft Web site has been amended multiple times since this blog entry was written. Accordingly, it should not be regarded as a current or complete as to the OSP as it applies today. Just a few minutes ago, Microsoft posted its "covenant not to sue" implementes of its Office formats. I was able to get an advance copy, and here is a line by line legal analysis and comparison to the Sun covenant that supports ODF. Sun's wins by a mile.
Microsoft Drops the Big One on ODF (Day II)
The dust hasn't settled yet, but more of Microsoft's strategy is becoming clear. Here is a comprehensive review of what's become available so far.
Is China More Progressive Than Massachusetts?
China's Open Source Software Promotion Union says that it will be introducing "its own Linux standard" next year - and the association representing traditional software vendors in China doesn't like it. Only in the Massachusetts government are people still thinking that way today in these parts.