Allchin Contrasts .Net With Java

Microsoft Sun Microsystems

States' attorney Kevin Hodges asked Allchin if he knew much about the Java Community Process (JCP). While Allchin said he had only a working knowledge of it, he also described it as relatively immature and not accepted industrywide.

"Why did a specific [working group have to be created" to develop and promote Java, Allchin asked. "[Microsoft didn't create one for .Net."

In response to other Java-related questions before U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, Allchin demurred. "There are a number of questions in my mind about how you use the Java word because of Sun's restrictions on it," he said, stepping around a question from Hodges about whether Java is a cross-platform technology.

Hodges asked Allchin whether Microsoft had undertaken efforts to oppose widespread adoption of Java.

His voice trailing off as he studied a document, Allchin said only, "We compete with Java."

In response, Hodges displayed a 1996 e-mail from Paul Maritz, then group vice president of Microsoft's platforms and strategies group and also Allchin's boss. The email is to Allchin and others and says: "The need here is to fundamentally blunt Java . . . to protect our core asset Windows, the thing we get paid $$ for."

In his written testimony, Allchin contrasted Java and .Net, asserting that Microsoft's technology is more open.

"Interoperability is a key differentiator between our work on .Net and the Java platform," Allchin wrote. "Microsoft has invested substantial time and resources in providuing great interoperability between .Net and older technologies, allowing our customers to leverage their existing stock of applications. In contrast, Sun's strategy of promoting creation of "100% pure" Java applications actually discourages interoperability with customers' existing applications written in other programming languages."

Allchin is expected to take the stand for further questioning Wednesday morning. Judge Kollar-Kotelly ordered the courtroom closed for a portion of the questioning, due to confidential Microsoft product plans that could be discussed.