Sun, Microsoft Agree On Java Distribution Plan

Sun and Microsoft Monday reached agreement on a plan for Microsoft to implement a court injunction that would force the software maker to distribute the most recent version of Sun's Java software in Windows, according to Sun spokeswoman.

U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz in Baltimore issued the injunction on December 23 and then asked Santa Clara, Calif.-based Sun and Microsoft, Redmond, Wash., to hash out the best method for incorporating Java into Windows.

Now that attorneys from the two companies have reached an agreement, Motz is expected file an order Tuesday that details the distribution plan. Specific details about that plan, however, were not available at press time.

The order from Motz stems from a private antitrust suit Sun filed against Microsoft last year. As part of that suit, Sun has argued that Microsoft gained an unfair advantage by shipping Windows with an outdated version of Java, one that lacks critical Web services components, among other features.

Microsoft has said previously that it will appeal the injunction once Motz files the order. If the injunction is ultimately upheld, it will stay in effect until Sun's antitrust suit is complete, up to a year and one-half, the Sun spokeswoman said.

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