Earlier today, Microsoft announce they were going to open some of their code. Wow. If anyone else made this announcement, it wouldn’t be all they exciting, but this was Microsoft, and Microsoft just doesn’t do that.

Microsoft Corp, faced with regulatory concerns in Europe and customers struggling with complex computer systems, said on Thursday it would publish critical information so rival programs can work better with Windows, Office and other major products.

The world’s largest software maker will share the underlying technology that connects its software to other programs, considered a built-in advantage that has been the basis of antitrust scrutiny of the company.

Microsoft’s new policies are seen as a way of heading off future battles with regulators in Europe, Asia and the United States who have long accused it of using its dominant position to move into new businesses and squeeze out competitors.

I don’t think there is any doubt that they are doing it to avoid future legal battles. I will be curious to exactly what they will reveal, and how that will affect development in the future. Maybe they should be offering some free wine gifts or something to help sway the regulators, every little bit helps you know.

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