Hi all, take a look at this; Microsoft bought the CCIA out of the antitrust case between Microsoft and the European Commission, where FSFE represents the SAMBA team and both together support the Commission [1].
As Financial Times [2] and The Register [3] reported, they paid almost $10m directly to the top official of the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA) as part of its settlement with the trade group.
The last paragraph [3]:
In a statement at the time, which makes more sense now, Ed Black said: "Life is a constant reordering of priorities, and for important and pragmatic reasons we are choosing to move on with regard to this matter. Neither I, nor CCIA, can recant the many things we have said and filed relating to Microsoft. Although we know and value the important role we have played on this matter over the years, there are other current and emerging matters which demand our attention."
If we were ever in the position of actually having $10m available for legal cases, we would not have to lose sleep about how to finance our lawsuits in defence of Free Software anymore. In fact, had Novell just given 1% of the extra they received because of our involvement, we would already be fine.
Unfortunately it seems you are only paid for _not_ doing things.
Best wishes, Matze
[1] http://fsfeurope.org/projects/ms-vs-eu/ [2] http://news.ft.com/cms/s/92c6495a-3dbd-11d9-abe0-00000e2511c8.html [3] http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/11/24/microsoft_makes_millionaire/
Greetings.
On Wednesday 24 November 2004 12:35, Matthias Kirschner wrote:
take a look at this; Microsoft bought the CCIA out of the antitrust case between Microsoft and the European Commission, where FSFE represents the SAMBA team and both together support the Commission [1].
According to the CCIA web page [1], their corporate members include OSDL and Red Hat, which are widely known as advocates and beneficiaries of Free Software which competes with Microsoft. Have either of these companies issued a statement on CCIA's decision?
Regards, Tristan
[1] http://www.ccianet.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Members_List&file=index
* Tristan Miller psychonaut@nothingisreal.com [2004-11-24 19:35:08 +0100]:
According to the CCIA web page [1], their corporate members include OSDL and Red Hat, which are widely known as advocates and beneficiaries of Free Software which competes with Microsoft. Have either of these companies issued a statement on CCIA's decision?
I don't know about others companies, but according to The Register it seems that Nokia has left CCIA:
"Handset maker Nokia left the trade group complaining that events had not been properly handled." [1]
Have you already seen the new press-release? [2]
Best wishes, Matze
[1] http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/11/24/microsoft_makes_millionaire/ [2] http://mailman.fsfeurope.org/pipermail/press-release/2004q4/000083.html
On Wed, Nov 24, 2004 at 07:35:08PM +0100, Tristan Miller wrote:
On Wednesday 24 November 2004 12:35, Matthias Kirschner wrote:
take a look at this; Microsoft bought the CCIA out of the antitrust case between Microsoft and the European Commission, where FSFE represents the SAMBA team and both together support the Commission [1].
According to the CCIA web page [1], their corporate members include OSDL and Red Hat, which are widely known as advocates and beneficiaries of Free Software which competes with Microsoft. Have either of these companies issued a statement on CCIA's decision?
I am not aware of any statement. Maybe you can write them and ask?