Caldera CEO says MS threatening PC makers www5.zdnet.com
Microsoft Corp. is threatening to suspend the contract of least one of the United States' largest computer manufacturers in a dispute over bundling a competing operating system, Caldera Inc. CEO Bryan Sparks alleged Monday.
Caldera, together with more than a dozen other companies, produces a version of Linux, a low-cost, collaboratively developed version of the popular Unix operating system. Linux was the only operating system not owned by Microsoft that gained market share in 1997.
"Microsoft has gone and threatened to pull their license -- and I know it happened," Sparks told Inter@ctive Week. "It's one of the top five."
Needless to say, Microsoft denies this.
Microsoft officials dismissed Sparks' complaints.
"It's a little odd that a CEO would talk about hearsay," Microsoft Spokesman Jim Cullinan said. "Here they're issuing a blanket statement and they're just running roughshod."
Microsoft has previously acknowledged giving discounts to manufacturers that put more than one of its products on their computers, but has steadfastly denied forcing the hand of computer makers.
Yeah, Microsoft would never, ever, think of strongarming its most important customers, the OEMs. That thing with Compaq and the sacred icon- that was just a rumor too. All hearsay. Nobody believes it. Like Ballmer said, Microsoft always treats its customers ethically and courteously. The OEMs all love Microsoft, just ask them. They especially love that Joachim Kempin guy.
Cheers, Dan. |
