The decision by the Court of First Instance to reject almost in its entirety the appeal by Microsoft marks a major milestone for the ICT industry in Europe. No longer can a single proprietary supplier lock-in customers by deploying tactics that prevent full interoperability and substitutability.

OpenForum Europe welcomes this decision, and looks to the whole ICT industry to respond by taking positive steps to increase competitive choice.

Interoperability is the lifeblood of an Open Europe, and is the core of the i2010 programme for eGovernment. This week European Ministers from all member states meet in Lisbon at the eGovernment conference to discuss and make a declaration on future direction. The time is right to take a strong line in support for full interoperability based on Open Standards.

Open, competitive choice for the IT user can now be a reality, but users must adopt sensible purchasing measures to ensure its success. OFE analysis has in the past concluded that up to 90% of all public sector organisations may have lost their choice to deploy better or more cost effective solutions as a result of past lock-in.

OFE will shortly be supporting the introduction of a new accreditation programme, Certified Open®, which will for the first time assist users to ensure freedom of future choice, and for suppliers to demonstrate the openness of their solutions.

Link to www.ecis.eu

ECIS Media Monitoring

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6998272.stm