Microsoft Shares Secret Data On How Windows Works

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Previously secret data on how the Windows operating system works will be provided by Microsoft to open-source Samba software developer.

Microsoft was compelled to make this information available following a March 24, 2004, European Commission antitrust ruling against the company.

In July 2006, the EU fined Microsoft 280.5 million euros ($338.6 million at that time) for failing to provide documentation on Windows protocols to its rivals. Microsoft lost an appeal of that decision in September.

The deal was signed with a nonprofit group called the Protocol Freedom Information Foundation which negotiated on behalf of the Samba team because Samba is not represented by a corporate entity, PC World reported.

Developers will have to sign nondisclosure agreements and will not be allowed to redistribute Microsoft's documentation, but they will be able to write open-source software that implements the Windows protocols.

The deal will also clarify which patents Microsoft believes are related to this technology, making it easier for open-source developers to avoid patent violations.