Documentation in Sun/Microsoft case to go public

The "special master" in the Java lawsuit against Microsoft has recommendedthat the court release documents from the closed pre-trial arguments, including a transcript of the proceedings, to the public. Both MicrosoftCorporation and Sun Microsystems have indicated that they will not fightthis decision, which may lead to the release of the documents early nextweek.

Sun sued Microsoft earlier this year because of changes Microsoft made tothe source code in its version of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) it shipswith Windows 98 and Visual J++. Microsoft says the Java licensing agreementit signs allows for such changes, though Sun obviously disagrees. U.S.District Court Judge Ronald Whyte, who is overseeing this case, has said that the case boils down to the interpretation of this contract.