What should Microsoft do, now that Java is GPL'd?

Given the long-standing rivalry between .Net and Java, one would assume that Sun's decision to release Java under the GPL would likely result in some kind of a reaction from the Redmondians.

But exactly what Microsoft could, should and will do, if anything, to counteract Sun's November 13 announcement, is murky.

Maybe Microsoft will create a language to go head-to-head with Java. Oh wait. The company did that already, with C#. (Anyone else remember good old "Project Cool"?)

Or perhaps Microsoft will open source its .Net framework? While the company already released .Net under its own Shared Source license, as Windows Now blogger Robert McLaws notes, I think it would be a stretch to expect Microsoft to go the final mile and release .Net under some type of bona fide open-source arrangement.

(However, as some Softies will no doubt point out, the Windows Presentation Foundation Everywhere (WPF/e) technology -- which Microsoft is expected to release publicly to testers some time soon -- includes the Mini Common Language Runtime (CLR), which will be able to run on non-Windows platforms, including Linux. Isn't that close enough? I'd say it's an apples to oranges comparison, but I thought I'd incude it just to cover all the bases.)

Maybe we'll see Microsoft and Sun pull a Novell and agree to release each other from patent claims, allowing developers to build atop each other's frameworks and embed .Net and Java everywhere and anywhere without fear of legal repercussions? Seems kind of doubtful, too.

(Thankfully,) I'm out of ideas. Your turn to weigh in.

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