Microsoft Extends Java Deadline
Sun Microsystems and Microsoft have struck an agreement that will extend support of Microsoft's Java Virtual Machine (MSJVM) until September 30, 2004 in order to impart a smooth transition to customers.
As part of the agreement, the two firms will cooperate to provide upgrade information and technical assistance for customers and developers, as well as links to download non-Microsoft JVM's on Microsoft's Java Web site.
Microsoft and Sun reached settlement in January 2001, resolving the dispute over Microsoft's Java implementation. Under its terms, the software giant would limit its use of Sun's source code and compatibility test suites supporting MSJVM. Since that time, Microsoft has begun phasing MSJVM out of its products; although security updates have been offered periodically.
"We are very pleased that we and Sun have been able to join together to protect the interests of our mutual customers," said Chris Jones, vice president for the Windows Client Division at Microsoft.
Jones continued, "This agreement is in direct response to our customers' request for more time to manage the transition and to their need for continued support of the MSJVM. Customers now have a year to identify MSJVM dependencies and implement their migration strategies. Microsoft is committed to supporting our customers with MSJVM migration tools and transition information throughout this period."
Despite signs of teamwork and acrimony, the two companies have steadily marched down a rocky road. Litigation kicked off when Sun filed a $1 billion lawsuit against Microsoft in March 2002, asserting that Redmond used its Windows monopoly to promote .NET over Java, in an attempt to dominate the Internet.
In June 2003, a US federal appeals court granted Microsoft a reprieve, which overturned a preliminary injunction issued by U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz ordering Microsoft to ship Sun Microsystem's Java technology with each copy of Windows.
Motz mandated Microsoft to ship Sun's Java in Windows within 120 days following the failure of Microsoft to implement a preliminary injunction Motz had issued December of 2002.
The injunction was sparked by the release a service pack for Windows XP, which included an outdated version of the technology Sun maintained was intended to "sabotage" Java's chances against .NET. Windows XP initially shipped without built-in Java support.
In order to blunt the effects of Microsoft's Java omission, Sun successfully lobbied OEMs including Dell and HP to ship its virtual machine with all new PCs.