Microsoft Corp. will deliver the final installment of hundreds of pounds of documentation of its products to U.S. regulators next month, a result of seemingly never-ending disputes over the company's business practices.
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The issue of documenting protocols is at the heart of troubles among Microsoft, regulators and embittered rivals dating back to the 1990s -- when the company was solidifying its command of the market for operating systems or software that manages the applications in a computer.
Craig Shank, general manager of Microsoft's competition law compliance group, said the documentation task has been so complex it has required "archaeology," or digging up ex-employees. Those include retirees and at least one former Microsoft engineer who had since moved on to work for a "partner" company, carrying away vital knowledge, Shank said.
Microsoft making it difficult for competitors? I really can't believe that.