[oclug] EU demands GPL compliance from MS - imposes fines!

[Mark Harrison (Groups)]

>From the Sussex (England LUG)


See here: http://news.zdnet.co.uk/0,39020330,39191837,00.htm

The EC is not accepting Microsoft's proposed license for it's protocols
as a settlement for the EU Antitrust action because (and here's the
best bit) it is not compatible with GPL and thus treats F/OSS projects
and vendors unfairly.  

Until Microsoft complies by openly documenting and licensing it's
protocols in a manner than is GPL compatible and not cost-prohibitive
they will not have settled their case.  They are now required to
respond, if that response does not bring them in line with these
requirements that the EU will levy a fine of 5% of their annual global
turnover each day until they do comply.  Which amounts to US$100
million per day.

As we say in England, "Crikey".

M.