Microsoft licenses Media Player to rival

Article Abstract:

Microsoft Corp. has licensed its Windows Media Player technology to its rival, RealNetworks, noting that the move is important for the future choice of format for digital media. Industry experts and competitors were skeptical on whether Microsoft, No. 3 in digital media until now, will succeed in its bid to eventually control the format for desktop video and audio software.

Internet software, Desktop video software, RealNetworks Inc., RNWK, Microsoft Windows Media Player (Desktop video software)

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Microsoft told to pay million to small rival

Article Abstract:

Judge Janet C. Hall awarded Bristol Technologies $1mil in damages from Microsoft Corp. During an earlier phase of the case, a jury had fined Microsoft $1, for deceptive actions in its relationship with Bristol, under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act. Bristol makes software that allows Unix to run with Windows. As Microsoft's Windows NT, which competes against Unix, gained acceptance in the marketplace, Microsoft felt it could increase fourfold the licensing fee it charged Bristol for access to NT programming information. Bristol argued the company reneged on an earlier promise to continue sharing this information with Unix conversion program vendors. The decision may have implications for other antitrust actions against Microsoft, particularly a European Commission investigation currently underway.

Government regulation (cont), Statistical Data Included, Company legal issue, Cases, Antitrust law, Bristol Technology Inc.

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Microsoft to adopt code system: data-security method does not comply with government proposal

Article Abstract:

Microsoft Corp becomes the latest major computer company to license security software technology from RSA Data Security Inc. RSA's system is widely used to protect and authenticate electronic documents and electronic communications. RSA's system can create a 'digital signature' to protect an electronic document from eavesdropping. Government agency personnel fear that such technologies might be used by criminals or foreign agents to hide their activities. A counter-terrorism bill, recently introduced by Sen Joseph R. Biden Jr (D-DE) would require that telephone companies and computer manufacturers provide ways for the government to obtain an unscrambled text or transmission, a so-called trapdoor. The RSA standard does not incorporate any trapdoors, and RSA's technology may also conflict with a separate, long-delayed National Institute of Standards and Technology effort to set standards.

Standards, Safety and security measures, Standard, Standardization, Electronic mail systems, E-mail, Email, Science and technology policy, Document management systems, Word processing software, Product introduction, United States. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Systems and data security software, RSA Data Security Inc., Security, Licensing, National Government, Computer Software Industry, New Technique, Systems/Data Security Software, Biden, Joseph R.

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