Anyone speak legalese? Does this mean we could finally get the IDL proper
for talking to the domain, exchange server, ADSI, etc? If so, I think
we should find out who to contact and politely approch them about it.
Mike
--8<--
Some important snipplets:
E. Starting nine months after the submission of this proposed Final
Judgment to the Court, Microsoft shall make available for use by third
parties, for the sole purpose of interoperating with a Windows Operating
System Product, on reasonable and non-discriminatory terms (consistent
with Section III.I), any Communications Protocol that is, on or after
the date this Final Judgment is submitted to the Court, (i) implemented
in a Windows Operating System Product installed on a client computer,
and (ii) used to interoperate natively (i.e., without the addition of
software code to the client or server operating system products) with
Windows 2000 Server or products marketed as its successors installed on
a server computer.
...
J. No provision of this Final Judgment shall:
1. Require Microsoft to document, disclose or license to third
parties: (a) portions of APIs or Documentation or portions or layers
of Communications Protocols the disclosure of which would compromise
the security of anti-piracy, anti-virus, software licensing, digital
rights management, encryption or authentication systems, including
without limitation, keys, authorization tokens or enforcement
criteria; or (b) any API, interface or other information related
to any Microsoft product if lawfully directed not to do so by a
governmental agency of competent jurisdiction.
2. Prevent Microsoft from conditioning any license of any API,
Documentation or Communications Protocol related to anti-piracy
systems, anti-virus technologies, license enforcement mechanisms,
authentication/authorization security, or third party intellectual
property protection mechanisms of any Microsoft product to any
person or entity on the requirement that the licensee: (a) has no
history of software counterfeiting or piracy or willful violation
of intellectual property rights, (b) has a reasonable business
need for the API, Documentation or Communications Protocol for
a planned or shipping product, (c) meets reasonable, objective
standards established by Microsoft for certifying the authenticity
and viability of its business, (d) agrees to submit, at its own
expense, any computer program using such APIs, Documentation or
Communication Protocols to third-party verification, approved by
Microsoft, to test for and ensure verification and compliance with
Microsoft specifications for use of the API or interface, which
specifications shall be related to proper operation and integrity
of the systems and mechanisms identified in this paragraph.
...
B. "Communications Protocol" means the set of rules for information
exchange to accomplish predefined tasks between a Windows Operating
System Product on a client computer and Windows 2000 Server or products
marketed as its successors running on a server computer and connected
via a local area network or a wide area network. These rules govern the
format, semantics, timing, sequencing, and error control of messages
exchanged over a network. Communications Protocol shall not include
protocols used to remotely administer Windows 2000 Server and products
marketed as its successors.
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May The Source be with you.