Microsoft Gets Java Clearance
Microsoft Corp. can develop its own version of Sun Microsystems’ Java programming language as long as it doesn’t violate Sun’s copyright, a judge ruled.
Over Sun’s objection, U.S. District Judge Ronald Whyte clarified an injunction he issued last year that required Microsoft to rewrite parts of Windows 98 to conform with Sun’s version of Java. Whyte said his injunction applied only to Microsoft software derived from a Sun program code or documentation licensed to Microsoft under its contract with Sun. Java is a universal computer programming language touted to be able to be used with any form of software.