Microsoft IP Licensing Program Adds Three Protocols
This afternoon, Microsoft confirmed to BetaNews it has added three sets of APIs and protocols to its intellectual property portfolio, for availability to corporate developers and other partners between now and next June. It’s generally not a free license, but the intention is to give partners who do have the intention to build on these protocols a way to do so, without Microsoft giving away secrets to its competitors.
Based on information we just received, here’s the three protocol sets being added:
Outlook-Exchange Transport Protocol, which marshals communications between Exchange Server 2007 and Outlook 2007, both of which were just released. As Microsoft describes it, OETP could conceivably be utilized for a different back-end messaging system or e-mail server altogether – one which may seek to be interoperable with Exchange Server. Availability for use should begin in June, and royalties and limits will certainly apply.
Continue at source.