Sun Microsystems Asks For $35 Million

Sun Microsystems Inc. is seeking $35 million damages in its lawsuit accusing Microsoft Corp. of hijacking a key Sun software technology.

Sun, which licenses its Java programming language to Microsoft, posted the demands Wednesday on its Web site, along with its previously secret 24-page licensing contract with Microsoft. Microsoft also posted the contract on its site.

The document revealed that Microsoft paid $17.5 million in five annual payments of $3.5 million for the Java technology when the contract was signed March 11, 1996.

“The purpose of our lawsuit is … to enforce Microsoft’s obligation to maintain its compatibility with all our licensees and the Java developer community,” Sun’s posted statement said.