With nearly no explanation, Microsoft sent out an alert notifying customers that it was removing download information for 10 security patches "because Microsoft Java Virtual Machine is no longer available for distribution from Microsoft." The revised bulletins are rated as critical and affect patches from the years 1999 through 2003.
The affected patches are: MS03-011, MS02-069, MS02-052, MS02-013, MS00-081, MS00-075, MS00-059, MS00-011, MS99-045, MS99-031.
But the timing is odd. The Microsoft Java Virtual Machine (MSJVM) was a technology included in some versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer and Windows that let Java applets run in the browser or on a Windows machine. It was the subject of a giant legal battle between Microsoft and Sun, with Sun accusing Microsoft of altering its virtual machine so that Java applets couldn't properly function on Microsoft's platforms (and rightly so).
But way back in 2004, the two settled the dispute, with Microsoft agreeing to no longer distribute the MSJVM and agreeing to end support for it on December 31, 2007. The terms of the agreement meant that support of Java would come from Microsoft's .Net technologies and that Microsoft would work with Sun to ensure that Java applets ran on .Net.
It is sheer speculation as to why, on July 1 2009, Microsoft has suddenly discovered, and removed, software that contained the MSJVM. Can this have anything to do with the pending sale of Sun to Oracle? In April, the latest scuffle between the proprietary and open source worlds was more remarks about the so-called ownership of Linux, made by none other than industry pundit Rob Enderle. He seemed to think that much of the code in Linux belongs to Sun, and therefore will soon be owned by Oracle, who will turn around and use its so-called power to control Linux.
If Oracle, a company almost as litigious as Microsoft, will be thinking it owns Linux, and knowing it owns Java, it would not do for Microsoft to be found in violation of a five-year old agreement between Microsoft and Sun over Java.
Visit the Microsoft Subnet web site for more news, blogs, podcasts. Subscribe to all Microsoft Subnet bloggers. Sign up for the bi-weekly Microsoft newsletter. (Click on News/Microsoft News Alert.)
- Roll your own XP-to-Windows 7 upgrade on a USB drive
- Windows 7 pricing fails to impress
- Firefox Stays In The Game With Firefox 3.5
- Fake Microsoft Update Email Scam - That almost looks professional
- Sometimes Slower Can Be Better
- Microsoft Training for Solution Providers – a nifty website...
- Linxter offers a secure cloud messaging framework
- Giveaways and goodies from Microsoft Subnet and Cisco Subnet
Follow Microsoft Subnet on Twitter
The Microsoft Subnet blog is the official blog of the Network World's Microsoft Subnet community, and is written by Online Community editor Julie Bort. Microsoft Subnet is the independent voice of Microsoft customers and is your gateway to daily Microsoft news, blogs, opinion, books, prize giveaways and more. Visit the Microsoft Subnet index page daily, and while you are there, subscribe to the Microsoft newsletter. The newsletter includes news generated by the Microsoft Subnet community as well as other Microsoft news stories published by Network World.
The Leader in Network Knowledge
Eh?
Okay. I don't follow you at all. What the hell does MS yanking MSJVM patches off its server have to do with "Anti-Linux FUD"?
I agree. That doesn't make
I agree. That doesn't make sense.
Eh?
It may not have anything to do with "Anti Linux FUD", but you have to admit, it got at least 3 page hits so far :-)
FUD doesn't describe it.
Who is this "Microsoft Subnet" person? Are they really that desperate to churn page hits to link to a quack like Enderle? That guy fell off the wagon long ago and suffered a bit of brain damage in the process. It would not surprise me in the least if "Microsoft Subnet" turned out to be Enderle. Is that you Bobby? You put the "L" in lame.
Could be that they were just
Could be that they were just lazy and didn't notice it till now. Wouldn't be the first time Microsoft took a long time to do something they didn't want to.
Enderle also believes that
Enderle also believes that the moon is made of green cheese, and that the SCO Group will be rolling in cash after they beat IBM in court.
Enderle said SCO owned Linux back in 2003
Enderle was impressed with the code that SCO was showing to the select few who would sign an NDA. Enderle believed that SCO would own Linux. Enderle and Didio are two people who should not be paid for their 'contributions' to the IT world.
Java and .NET
Java doesn't run on .NET under windows and isn't supported through it, to do so would probably be in violation of the settlement agreement. It probably did say that Microsoft was to ensure the Windows and .NET remained interoperable with Java, but that isn't the same thing.
linux fud? man... this
linux fud? man... this article writer must be either an idiot or a hit collector. Lets just promise not to read this url and guy anymore.
ID10T
Not only does Oracle NOT own linux (or ANY part of it) they also do NOT own Java. Java was open-sourced by Sun and is not owned by ANYONE. Whoever wrote this article is a moron and should have his geek badge taken away. Probably a microsoftie anyway.
Post new comment