Microsoft and Sun agree to extend Java licensing

By Alun Williams

Posted on 8 Oct 2003 at 12:19

Microsoft will now extend support for its Java Virtual Machine until 30 September 2004. This follows an agreement with Sun over continued licensing of Microsoft's platform-specific Java support environment.

The subject of long-running dispute, Microsoft was keen to ditch its own Java support as it concentrated on moving customers to a .Net based approach to Web services. It seems pressure from customers, however, has forced Microsoft to tarry a little longer before cutting off official support.

Both companies have agreed that Microsoft's website - www.microsoft.com/java - will carry upgrade information, and assistance for customers and developers using the MSJVM.

In an official statement, Microsoft states: 'Because some developers and enterprises have expressed concern about their ability to eliminate dependencies on the MSJVM in the time originally provided, Microsoft and Sun have agreed to a longer period to permit a smooth transition from 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,' added Chris Jones, VP of Microsoft's Windows Client Division.

Sun will be relatively happy to see Java support continued, and the evidence it provides of customer demand for Java technology.

'At Sun, the needs of our customers are of paramount concern,' said Rich Green, VP of the Sun Developer Platforms Group. 'Industry wide replacement of the MSJVM may be a significant undertaking. This agreement gives customers who require it more time to make the transition, with assurance that Microsoft will continue repairing any critical concerns in the MSJVM while the transition is under way.'

What will happen to Windows support for a JVM, sometimes called the Java interpreter, after September 2004? That remains unknown. Microsoft was not able to comment.

The original case involves Sun suing Microsoft for $1bn over the allegedly inferior version of Java shipping with the Windows OS and IE browser. Sun alleged that Microsoft was attempting to discredit the platform-agnostic system in favour of Microsoft's own more proprietary .Net framework.

The Java runtime system is the technology that allows Java programs - which in theory are platform neutral - to run on a specific platform. The concern of Sun was obvious: with Windows being a dominant operating system, the success of Java (in part) will rely on its acceptance by Windows-based desktops and IE browsers.

See also

US court rules Microsoft a Java-free zone

MS and Sun return to court in Java dispute

The Windows Java runtime dispute runs and runs

Microsoft given three months to ship Java