What the Java ruling really says By Deborah Gage, Sm@rtReseller November 19, 1998 10:04 AM ET The U.S. District Court handed Sun Microsystems Inc. a clear victory on Java Tuesday, despite Microsoft Corp.'s claims to the contrary, as an examination of the ruling shows. Microsoft is prevented from distributing any operating system, browser or software development tool containing any Sun-copyrighted code that does not pass Sun's Java compatibility tests. In addition to implementing Sun's JNI (Java Native Interface) -- which dictates how Java interacts with any native operating-system services -- Microsoft must make Sun Java the default language for developers using Microsoft's Visual J++ 6.0, which Microsoft began shipping in September, as well as Microsoft Software Development Kits for Java. Developers using VJ++ 6.0 must be warned that when they switch on Microsoft's keyword extensions and compiler directives, the resulting applications may not run across all Java-compatible virtual machines, according to the court's ruling. In addition, Microsoft is prevented from adding any new extensions and directives to future tools. There are other provisions as well. Microsoft is prohibited from tying its Windows logo or any licenses to exclusive use of Microsoft's virtual machine or interfaces. Microsoft cannot advertise its virtual machine as "the official Java reference implementation," although it can tout performance of its virtual machine. Microsoft must comply with the judge's order within 90 days for all new products, unless it can show good cause why it can't. Although Microsoft does not have to recall existing Java-enabled products, it must provide service packs or updates over the Web or in some other fashion to bring those products into compliance. Microsoft has 15 days to tell customers how it plans to comply with the judge's order. It must also admit it violated Sun's license agreements. If Sun wins the case - Tuesday's ruling is only preliminary -- the keyword extensions and compiler directives in VJ++ 6.0 will not be permitted to be included in future tools. That would render any applications already developed with VJ++ 6.0 incompatible. Microsoft added the keyword extensions and compiler derivatives in May, after the Redmond, Wash., company lost the right to use Sun's Java logo on its product packaging. Microsoft has waged a relentless PR campaign against Java and continues to do so. Group Vice President Paul Maritz hinted Tuesday that Microsoft may do a clean-room version of Java, which Sun general counsel Mike Morris acknowledged is open to contract interpretation. Maritz also told press conference questioners that Microsoft may look into using Hewlett-Packard Co.'s Java implementation as an alternative to Sun's. In a separate announcement Wednesday, Inprise Corp. (formerly Borland International Inc.) announced it would be willing to license to Microsoft its 100-percent-compatible JBuilder Java development tools for an undisclosed amount. Inprise has partnered with both Microsoft and Sun in the course of its Java work. "We recognize that many customers could be adversely impacted by the injunction against Microsoft and therefore we want to offer a solution that will enable Microsoft to quickly comply with the ruling from the U.S. District Court," said Inprise CEO Del Yocam in a prepared statement. Microsoft officials said Tuesday that the company plans to comply with the court's decision, but it did not outline Microsoft's specific technical or legal plans for moving forward. Microsoft denied that customers would be negatively impacted in any way by the provisions outlined in the ruling. Additional reporting by Mary Jo Foley, Sm@rt Reseller From MAILER-DAEMON@cs.depaul.edu Thu Nov 19 09:58:11 1998