Sun asked to cede Java
By Reuters
September 11, 1997, 11:10 a.m. PT

Intel (INTC), Microsoft (MSFT), Digital Equipment (DEC), and Compaq Computer (CPQ) asked Sun Microsystems (SUNW) today to cede control of the Java computer programming language to an international standard-setting organization.

In an open letter to Sun executives, the four companies said they were concerned that Sun had too much control over a language that is quickly becoming one of the foundations of the Internet.

"We think Java is important for industry and our customers," said Tom Waldrop, a spokesman at Intel. "To us, it's important for the development of the Internet that Java remain an open standard."

The companies said Sun, the inventor of Java, should turn over ownership of the language to the International Standards Organization, an international forum that regulates technical standards and measures.

The companies also said the Java name should be free to all interested parties.

The allure of software written in Java is that a single version of a program can run on many types of computers without the programmer having to modify it for different systems.

Sun, based in Santa Clara, California, has been pitching Java as the universal language of the Internet. But Intel, Microsoft, Compaq, and Digital are contending that Java cannot evolve and become a universal language if Sun dictates its direction.

Sun executives could not be reached immediately for comment.

Microsoft asked to cede Windows
By Routers
September 11, 1997, 2:16 p.m. PT

Sun Microsystems (SUNW), Netscape Communications (NSCP), and International Business Machines (IBM) asked Microsoft Corp (MSFT) today to cede control of the Windows computer operating system to an international standard-setting organization.

In an open letter to Microsoft executives, the four companies said they were concerned that Microsoft had too much control over an operating system that is quickly becoming one of the foundations of the desktop.

"We think Windows is important for industry and our customers," said Mow Latprod, a spokesman at Netscape. "To us, it's important for the development of desktop computing that Windows remain an open standard."

The companies said Microsoft, the inventor of Windows, should turn over ownership of the operating system to the International Standards Organization, an international forum that regulates technical standards and measures.

The companies also said the Windows name should be free to all interested parties.

The allure of software that runs under Windows is not clear.

Microsoft, based in Redmond, WA, has been pitching Windows as the universal OS of the desktop. But Sun, Netscape, and IBM are contending that Windows cannot evolve and become a universal operating system if Microsoft dictates its direction.

Microsoft executives could not be reached immediately for comment.