In December I filed a complaint to the OFT with regard to MSSA being
anti-competitive because it requires the payment of licences to MS for
machines that do not run any of their software. I think most people
would agree that an effect of this, intentional or not, is to block
competition by ensuring revenue for MS from rival installations. There
was an article in the Register and the Times on this and I am talking to
Computer Weekly about it tomorrow. The OFT have now decided there are
reasonable grounds for a full investigation so collecting evidence is
important.
This is an important issue for Suse and in fact any Linux distribution
that wants to get onto the desktop in schools. If MS succeed in a
strategy of getting most schools onto the MSSA it will virtually kill
any chance of getting Linux at the desktop in schools. The OFT, has
specific bureaucratic requirements in investigating these issues and it
could take up to 2 years to come to a judgement and even then it might
not be the one we would like. So this is only a beginning but an
important one if Linux is to thrive in schools.
If you have any evidence that MSSA is blocking Linux adoption in your
school or any other that you know, particularly if you work for a
commercial Linux company (Roger?) the principal case officer dealing
with this is Edward.Anderson@oft.gsi.gov.uk. If you need more
information drop me a line.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-5-664844,00.html
(Times link)
Thanks,
--
ian