microsoft asked to reveal source code

**mojo** · 02-13-2002, 04:37 PM

http://www.msnbc.com/news/706315.asp

States ask Microsoft judge for access to Windows code

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 — The state attorneys general still pursuing the antitrust case against Microsoft Corp. have asked a federal judge to force the company to show them the inner workings of its flagship product.

THE STATES SAID they need to see the source code of its monopoly Windows operating system so they can verify the company’s claim that it is not technically feasible for the company to offer a stripped-down version of Windows.

The motion was filed with U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on Tuesday and first made available Wednesday.

“Microsoft cannot base its defense on the design of its source code and simultaneously deny the litigating states the opportunity to test those arguments by interrogating the code,” the states said in their filing.

As part of their proposed sanctions against Microsoft, the states have told Kollar-Kotelly that she should order the company to offer a stripped-down version of Windows.

“This is the equivalent of demanding of Coke that they turn over the formula,” said Andrew Gavil, a professor of antitrust law at Howard University. “This is exactly what Microsoft wanted to avoid.”

In Tuesday’s motion, the states also asked the judge to appoint a technical expert to help provide “impartial opinions on the complex, highly technical issues raised by the parties ....”

Microsoft has already rejected both of the requests when approached directly by the states, they said in their legal filing.

Microsoft reached a deal with the Justice Department in November to settle the long-running case. Nine of the 18 states in the lawsuit agreed to sign on to the deal, but nine others are pressing ahead and asking the judge to impose stricter sanctions.

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"we can't make a slimmed-down version of windows"

"prove it"

"um....um...."

**Hiro** · 02-13-2002, 05:18 PM

Originally posted by mojo
"we can't make a slimmed-down version of windows"

"prove it"

"um....um...."

I really wanna see them force MicroSoft to do this. So many things would change if it happens.

**Windsor** · 02-13-2002, 05:31 PM

Originally posted by Corsec

I really wanna see them force MicroSoft to do this. So many things would change if it happens.

Well, I think, only if MS is proved incorrect. But isn't MS screwed either way since if their source code is released and their's correct, it'll then be public and open for people to copy and clone? If its not,well, then they get into trouble with lying and they'll have to provide a stripped down version.

HOwever, with all the money MS has, they must have good lawyers, and I'm sure they've anticipated this already...

**mojo** · 02-13-2002, 05:37 PM

Originally posted by Windsor

Well, I think, only if MS is proved incorrect. But isn't MS screwed either way since if their source code is released and their's correct, it'll then be public and open for people to copy and clone? If its not,well, then they get into trouble with lying and they'll have to provide a stripped down version.

it didn't say anything about public release of source code. the states want to see it to see if their claim holds water. it would just be analyzed by experts (who would probably get a few chuckles on the side) to give testimony as to the claim.

although public release wouldn't screw them at all...it would just enhance competition and everyone would benefit.

**Hiro** · 02-13-2002, 05:45 PM

Yea, but lets be realistic. These "experts" are going to find a way to release the code to the public anyway. At least one of them is.

I mean, who in this country has NOT heard of MicroSoft? Its highly unlikely that these "experts" havn't.

**Dave_7** · 02-13-2002, 06:02 PM

Originally posted by Corsec
Yea, but lets be realistic. These "experts" are going to find a way to release the code to the public anyway. At least one of them is.

Exactly... all it takes is one.

Dave.

**WhiskeyPapa** · 02-13-2002, 07:37 PM

Originally posted by Dave_7
Exactly... all it takes is one.

You don't think anyone outside of MS has ever seen their source code? People see it all the time. We're working on a project for Microsoft right now and I have *all* of the source for one of their big $$ programs sitting on my computer at work. If you get a contract with MS, you'll have plenty of their source too.

It's not like the formula for Coke, where only 10 people in the world even know where it's hidden...

Yes, Microsoft could release a stripped-down version of Windows. Unfortunately, thousands of third-party programs (including many of ours) would stop working, because we *expect* that functionality to be present in *all* Windows installations.