Microsoft’s General Manager of Virtualization, Mike Neil, responded to VMware’s recent whitepaper attacking Microsoft’s recent licensing changes:

“Microsoft believes the claims made in VMware’s whitepaper contain several inaccuracies and misunderstandings of our current license and use policies, our support policy and our commitment to technology collaboration. We believe that we are being progressive and fair with our existing licensing and use policies and creating a level playing field for partners and customers. We are deeply committed to providing high-quality technical support to our customers who are utilizing virtualization technology. In addition, we are committed to working collaboratively with industry leaders to foster an environment of interoperability and cooperation that best serves our customers.”

Last time I checked, creating a “level playing field” did not include placing restrictions on how people use software. Taking a bite out of VMware’s technological advancements does not create a level playing field. All it does is hurt a customer’s ability to use innovative technology, while giving Microsoft more time to develop the same technology they are limiting the use of.

My favorite part of that statement is: “we are committed to working collaboratively with industry leaders to foster an environment of interoperability and cooperation that best serves our customers”. For those of use who’ve watched what Microsoft did to Netscape Navigator, Novell Netware, Lotus 1-2-3, WordPerfect, and many other innovative products and companies. (See: “Embrace, Extend, and Extinguish“.)

Mr Neil went on to say:

“We believe it’s better to resolve VMware’s claims between our two companies so that we can better serve customers and the industry. EMC is a long-time partner of Microsoft. We’ve extended this courtesy to VMware due to our mutual customers and partnership with EMC. We are committed to continuing to collaborate with VMware as we have been doing on regular basis. Consistent with this, Microsoft believes that we will be able to accommodate a mutually agreeable solution between our two companies and clear up any existing misunderstanding with regard to the points raised in the whitepaper.”

The fact is, Microsoft is trying to be less obvious in their anti-competitive approach to the industry. They want to avoid another anti-trust suit. Therefore, while obstructing competitors, they need to look like they are cooperating.

All the more reason I use Linux…