Tim Almond

Stephen Pollard in The Times

Last Thursday Microsoft, whose name is synonymous with the existing model of copyright protection, underwent a revolution. It suddenly released more than 30,000 pages of previously rigidly protected software protocols. Microsoft recognised that instead of always fighting to hold on to some of its intellectual property, it can do even better by allowing other developers to adopt and adapt its software.

Firstly, developers can’t “adapt” its software. Microsoft have the source code for products like Office under lock and key. There’s no source for Office being given away here, just the protocols for the file formats they use.

As for why they’re doing it, it’s far more about the demands of the EU and that governments are demanding that files be stored in an open format. Whether the formats make much difference, we will wait and see.

Tags: Software Development, Technology //