Windows News and info 15th Anniversary 2009-2024
Other Operating Systems => Windows 7 | Windows 9 => Topic started by: riso on April 23, 2009, 05:44:34 PM
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In January, technical experts indicated that Windows 7 would be tested “more thoroughly” than prior Redmond offerings as a result of anti-trust oversight documents provided by Microsoft to a three-member federal panel monitoring Windows 7’s development. It has now been revealed that anti-trust scrutiny over Microsoft’s proceedings will end on May 12, 2011. The three-member panel operating for federal antitrust officials has been investigating Windows 7’s underpinnings as early as March of last year. However, documentation provided to the panel prior to the release of February’s first beta prompted even closer attention from the government. With Windows 7 now nearing completion, federal anti-trust regulators and Microsoft have struck a deal that spells out the final stages of governmental oversight. Yesterday, the Department of Justice filed documents (download PDF) with U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly asking that she extend her oversight by at least 18 months, until May 12, 2011, to give Microsoft more time to finish documenting the communication protocols needed by competitors to craft software that works smoothly with Windows clients and servers.
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Although Microsoft has consented to the extension — and acknowledged that the regulators can later ask for another 18 months — Kollar-Kotelly must approve the request. Microsoft has been under the thumb of federal officials since settling on charges of monopolistic practices in 2002. Though Microsoft was to be freed of oversight in November 27, complaints from eleven state attorney generals successfully lobbied to extend Kollar-Kotelly’s role until November of 2009. At that juncture, however, Kollar-Kotelly left the door open for extended oversight, and the government has decided to pursue the opportunity. Under the terms of the 2002 anti-trust settlement, Microsoft must frequently submit documentation regarding protocols, stacks and APIs to the court. A technical panel operating under the auspices of the USDOJ reviews Microsoft’s documents to ensure that the firm is not abusing its market position to quell third-party software with elements of Windows’ design.