RSSMicrosoft IP Licensing Program Adds Three Protocols
By Scott M. Fulton, III | Published February 2, 2007, 5:44 PM
This afternoon, Microsoft confirmed to BetaNews it has added three sets of APIs and protocols to its intellectual property portfolio, for availability to corporate developers and other partners between now and next June. It’s generally not a free license, but the intention is to give partners who do have the intention to build on these protocols a way to do so, without Microsoft giving away secrets to its competitors.
Based on information we just received, here’s the three protocol sets being added:
- Outlook-Exchange Transport Protocol, which marshals communications between Exchange Server 2007 and Outlook 2007, both of which were just released. As Microsoft describes it, OETP could conceivably be utilized for a different back-end messaging system or e-mail server altogether – one which may seek to be interoperable with Exchange Server. Availability for use should begin in June, and royalties and limits will certainly apply.
- SharePoint Server communication protocol with Office 2007 applications, availability for which is immediate, though Microsoft’s Web site had yet to be updated with this protocol when we checked today.
- Instant messaging protocol between Office Live Communications Server 2005 and Office Communicator 2005. This one’s especially significant due to the importance Microsoft has recently placed on instant messaging devices in its communications scheme, which it now refers to as “OCs” rather than “PCs.” This protocol could possibly (depending on how flexible it ends up being) enable anyone to integrate an existing IM client into the company’s OC scheme, which is tied into Microsoft’s strategy of representing presence throughout the enterprise. This protocol will become available this April.
Many protocols- this includes many MS protocols- are either public domain or can be licensed at no cost. Other protocols are proprietary and may be licensed for a fee. Proprietary protocols can be, and frequently are, maintained as IP of the entity that developed or created them. IP, like patented technology, requires diligence in order to protect the inherent value. This diligince is similar to almost anything we own: leave your keys in your car and your car becomes "public transportation". A simple lock, license and title serve to protect and preserve your investment and declare your ownership- not unlike the efforts companies use to preserve the value of their IP or patented technology. Apple's 200 plus patents on their new phone is a recent example that serves to protect both their IP and provides for a market in which they hope to recover their considerable R&D costs and generate an operating profit which should, in turn, provide more opportunities (jobs) to earn income and pay the taxes that make this crazy world go round. I can't believe I just wrote that - I think my dad would be proud!
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|Vista breaks 90% of games, says game publisher
http://www.tgdaily.com/2007/01/30/vista_games/
Neat feature! No wonder the Windows fanboys are willing to deal with MS. They know gaming!
And the other reason we use Windows is?....Ahhhhh, let me get back to you on that.....
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|...and now, back to our discussion already in progress.
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|Unfortunately MS doesn't include anything to prevent Vista from breaking online gaming.
Opps!
Does MS know OS's or what?
What?
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|"eh? Protocols are not IP. You cannot charge for them. Ms defines protocols as IP, virtual products in order to back their stupid claims to the Antitrust Authorities."
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I'm sure their lawyers, and Microsoft has a numberof them who specialize in this very kind of thing, did their research quite thoroughly.
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|eh? Protocols are not IP. You cannot charge for them. Ms defines protocols as IP, virtual products in order to back their stupid claims to the Antitrust Authorities.
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|They relate to there products, so I dont think its an attempt to do anything else but to add functionality to there own software.
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|Agreed
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