Microsoft Halloween documents leak

The so-called Halloween documents comprise a series of confidential Microsoft memoranda on potential strategies relating to free software, open-source software, and to Linux in particular; and a series of responses to these memoranda. Both the leaked documents and the responses were published by Eric S. Raymond.

The documents are associated with Halloween because many of them were originally leaked close to 31 October.

Overview

The first Halloween document, requested by senior vice-president James Allchin for the attention of senior vice-president Paul Maritz and written by Microsoft program manager Vinod Valloppillil, was leaked to Eric Raymond in October 1998, who immediately published an annotated version on his web site. The document contained references to a second memorandum specifically dealing with Linux, and that document, authored by Vinod Valloppillil and Josh Cohen at Microsoft, was also obtained, annotated and published by Raymond. Microsoft has since admitted the documents' authenticity." [http://web.archive.org/web/20010604100408/www.microsoft.com/ntserver/nts/news/mwarv/linuxresp.asp Microsoft Responds to the Open Source Memo Regarding the Open Source Model and Linux] ", Microsoft (cached by archive.org on 4 June 2001)]

Marked "Microsoft confidential", they identify open-source software, and in particular the Linux operating system, as a major threat to Microsoft's dominance of the software industry, and suggest ways in which Microsoft could disrupt the progress of open source software.

These documents acknowledged that free software products such as Linux were technologically competitive with some of Microsoft's products, and set out a strategy to combat them. The documents were embarrassing largely because they contradicted Microsoft's public pronouncements on the subject.

Since the publication of the two original documents, a number of additional Microsoft memoranda on related topics have also been leaked and published (e.g. Halloween VII). Together, these documents demonstrate Microsoft's continued awareness that its open-source competitors are a potential threat to its livelihood in the software industry.

The documents

The documents are from a variety of sources. Only some are leaked internal memos (documents I, II, VII, VIII, and X). One is a public statement (document III). The others are responses by Eric Raymond to various columns, news articles, and other works.

Documents I and II

These are leaked reports for Microsoft's own use, both written by Vinod Valloppillil, who was a Program Manager at Microsoft.

Document I provides a detailed introduction to the concepts behind Open Source software, and its possible impact on Microsoft products and services. It outlines the strengths and weaknesses of Open Source software. Document II describes the basic architecture of the Linux system, its relation to Unix and Windows NT.

Raymond suggests that the documents show that while Microsoft may be dismissive of open source software in public, it considers it a serious competitor in private.

While discussing ways of competing with open source, Document I suggests that one reason that open source projects have been able to enter the market for servers is the use of standardized protocols. It then suggests that this can be stopped by "extending these protocols and developing new protocols" and "de-commoditize protocols & applications." This policy has been nicknamed "embrace, extend, extinguish".

Document I also suggests that open source software "is long-term credible ... FUD tactics can not sic be used to combat it," and "Recent case studies (the Internet) provide very dramatic evidence ... that commercial quality can be achieved / exceeded by OSS projects."

Document I was filed as evidence on January 16, 2007 in the current case of "Comes v. Microsoft". [ [http://iowa.gotthefacts.org/ "Comes v. Microsoft"] ] [http://edge-op.org/iowa/www.iowaconsumercase.org/011607/6000/PX06501.pdf]

Document III

The statement from Aurelia van den Berg, the Press and Public Relations manager of Microsoft Netherlands, puts forward Microsoft's view on the first two documents. It says that the documents are not an "official position", but that "it is routine and appropriate" to research competitors.

This statement is only a brief response, but many points were later incorporated into an official response from Microsoft. [http://web.archive.org/web/20000816190537/http://www.microsoft.com/NTServer/nts/news/mwarv/linuxresp.asp]

Document VII

This document is a summary of the results of a survey of developers and IT managers, carried out by Microsoft, describing reactions to Microsoft's shared source program. Eric Raymond provides commentary suggesting ways that the open source community can promote itself based on the results of the survey.

The results show favorable responses about both open source and shared source principles. It also describes low total cost of ownership as a major reason for Linux adoption, opposed to many documents released by the company suggesting that Windows has a lower TCO than Linux solutions. [http://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Amicrosoft.com+TCO+linux]

Document VIII

"OSS and Government", aka Halloween VIII: Doing the Damage-Control Dance. A memo from Group Vice President of Worldwide Sales, Orlando Ayala, to general managers of Microsoft regional subsidiaries. Describes the availability of support from Microsoft corporate for regional sales personnel facing competition from Linux in government markets.

Document X

An e-mail from consultant Mike Anderer to SCO's Chris Sontag, also known as Halloween X: Follow The Money. Among other points, describes Microsoft's channeling of US$ 86 million to SCO.

References

*http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-100925.html
*http://www.groklaw.net/articlebasic.php?story=20070108020408557
*http://www.ddj.com/184404225
*http://www.infoworld.com/articles/op/xml/00/05/15/000515oplivingston.html

External links

* [http://www.catb.org/~esr/halloween/ The Halloween documents]