Microsoft to License Windows Source Code

In an effort to appease the EU and push the kinder gentler feel MSFT is going to license some of their Windows software

The WSJ reports:

Microsoft Corp. said Wednesday it will license some of the source code, or technical blueprints, for its Windows software to other companies, as it tries to resolve a long-running antitrust dispute with European regulators.

Microsoft did put some limitations on the offer. The source code would be offered at the same price as other previously offered licenses for communications protocols. And perhaps crucially, not all Windows source code will be offered.

"What we are talking about licensing is source code for Windows workgroup operating system" and the "source code for Windows desktop operating system," he said. This was the code needed to implement the part of the E.U. decision about interoperability between competitors' servers and Microsoft-run machines.