Sun files lawsuit against Microsoft
Sun Microsystems [Nasdaq: SUNW] has filed a private antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft Corporation, specifically citing anticompetitive behaviour in Microsoft's treatment of Sun's Java platform.
In its complaint, Sun alleges that Microsoft's conduct has fragmented the Java platform, flooded the market with incompatible Java Runtime environments and forced other companies to distribute or use products that are incompatible with Java.
Sun is seeking preliminary injunctions requiring Microsoft to distribute Sun's Java plug-in as part of Windows XP and Internet Explorer and to stop distribution of Microsoft's Java Virtual Machine through separate downloads.
Sun is also seeking a permanent injunction requiring Microsoft to disclose and license proprietary interfaces, protocols and formats and to unbundle tied products such as Internet Explorer, IIS web server and the .Net framework.
It has been reported that the damages that Sun is to seek in the courts could top $1bn (€1.14bn). This is not the first Java lawsuit between the two companies. In January 2001, Sun and Microsoft settled a 1997 lawsuit over Microsoft's use of Java.
As part of the settlement, Microsoft agreed to pay Sun $20m (€22.8m) and was permanently prohibited from using "Java compatible" trademarks on its products. Last year Microsoft released C#, which was said by analysts to be Microsoft's response to Java, and was to provide an important technology to the Microsoft .Net product and services set.
