The Free Software Foundation Europe will participate in the Microsoft antitrust lawsuit

News November 25th, the free software of Microsoft's competitors for a European Court to allow it to participate in the anti monopoly between the management department and the controversy of Microsoft.

According to the seattlepi.nwsource.com website, on behalf of Linux and replace Microsoft Windows network function Samba developers of the Free Software Foundation Europe apply to the European Court of first instance in Luxemburg, asked to participate in Microsoft's appeal to the court.

In Germany, the Free Software Foundation Europe President Georg Greve said Wednesday that we want to confirm that the Microsoft was forced to release the communication protocol, and to allow competition for business, including allowing free software vendors to compete.

As some companies reached a settlement with Microsoft, supporters of open source software is still a major supporter of the EU's Microsoft antitrust case.

RealNetworks reached a $761 million settlement with Microsoft last month to withdraw from the lawsuit. Novell and the computer and Communications Industry Association reached a settlement with Microsoft last year.

Microsoft is currently on the European Union antitrust authorities issued an order in 2004 on appeal in March. This command requires Microsoft to provide EU canceled the paperback version of the Windows operating system of media player and disclosure of the relevant operating system software secret. EU antitrust authorities also imposed a $585 million fine on Microsoft's antitrust act.

In August, Microsoft filed a lawsuit against the European Court of justice on the 10 day of the European Union, claiming that the European Union's antitrust authorities have ordered it to license its infringement of intellectual property rights to open source software developers.

The European Free Software Foundation has received court approval to allow it to participate in Microsoft's main litigation.

Bo Vistdorf, President of the European Court of first instance (Bo) in November 4th, said the hearing of the case is expected to be held before next year in April by the Vesterdorf.

According to the European Free Software Foundation, Microsoft said in an appeal that the EU's antitrust decision would have led to a loss of intellectual property. A spokesman for Microsoft and the European Commission spokesman declined to comment on the news.