Microsoft Eases Licensing On Office 2003 Formats

kfiller writes "Microsoft has negotiated a deal with the state of Massachusetts to lower licensing restrictions on the Excel and Word XML formats in Office 2003, in exchange for the state to reconsider their focus on adopting 'open standards' to adopting 'open formats'. Is this just another move to encroach on the open source community?"

Re:The old MicroSoft Adage (tm)

[locokamil]

More like bend over and spread. (tm) :)

Mmmm...

[Paiway]

Bribes.

Re:Yes, we remember.

[strider44]

luckily I only play UT2004 and its multitude of mods!

Re:What? Where?

[Anonymous Coward]

Microsoft owns the licence. Microsoft has exclusive right to restrict parts of the licence, or at the very least modify parts of the licence without prior notice. Users are required to conform retroactively to the licence at all times, including future amendments and modifications to the licence. Users are required to keep themselves aware of any changes to Microsoft licencing. Fees paid for licencing software are retroactive to any licence change. Customers who fail to maintain licences (as of the retroactive licencing date) are subject to fines and penalties (with interest) to Microsoft. Users who fail to comply with Microsoft licences are subject to criminal and civil prosecution. Users are not allowed to complain about Microsoft licences (as is stated in the full extended Microsoft licence --page 275 subsections 2-29).