What about the more extreme case of the council using funds to extend an MS Enterprise agreement to schools? Is this for the OFT to examine or the NAO? I have reason to believe the coucil in question are directly negotiating with MS rather than going to tender for equivalent solutions. -----Original Message----- From: ian To: SuSE mailing list for UK schools Sent: 5/5/03 11:06 AM Subject: [suse-linux-uk-schools] OFT and MSSA 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 <ian.lynch2@ntlworld.com> -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-unsubscribe@suse.com For additional commands, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-help@suse.com