If you’ve worked with Linux in a Microsoft shop, you’ve probably used the open source Samba server software at some point in time. Samba is an extremely useful Linux server tool that eases the integration and communications with Windows operating system hosts. But it’s become increasingly difficult for Samba to support Windows Server protocols leaving few options for maintaining support with new Windows based products.
The EU ruling against Microsoft is attempting to fix that. As a result of the EU court’s ruling, Microsoft is required to share protocols and patent information with competitive products, including the open source Samba software.
Given Microsoft’s more cozy approach towards partners, like Novell, I wonder if Microsoft would be more open to sharing protocols today? In many respects, allowing Linux boxes to play more cooperatively with Windows servers helps Windows fit in more easily into a mixed shop. On the other hand, not sharing these protocols gives Microsoft an edge, wedging competitive products out the market.
In this case though, it’s an open source project that stands to benefit most. It’s open source agility is likely reason Samba was able to stick around.
Will the EU’s ruling change Microsoft’s behavior in the future? It’s hard to say one way or another. Microsoft detractors would surely claim ‘no’ and that the EU ruling didn’t go far enough. The EU seems to be stepping in where the US federal government won’t. We’ll have to see if that trend will continue or will change based on how the 2008 elections turn out.
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