Posted 8:39 AM

Microsoft wins Java appeal - but so does Sun!

The press is filled with stories proclaiming that Microsoft wins Java appeal, and - while technically correct (it was Microsoft who appealed and they did get a ruling in their favor) the real winner here is Sun.

There never was much hope that the ludicrous ruling requiring Microsoft to ship Java with Windows would survive appellate review. But the court did affirm that there's enough evidence that Microsoft breached its contract with Sun that the case can go on. More importantly, Microsoft is enjoined from shipping their own version of Java - its either Sun's or nothing.

With browser technology where it is today, its really a no-brainer to download and install Java - it can be handled almost 'automagically' by Java-enabled websites. What would have fatally killed the ubiquitous language, though, would be allowing Microsoft to create their own version and muddy the waters completely.