Worth the wait? Regular retail price (RRP) is no more

Documentation for interoperability has become the central point of debate in Europe. We expected some of this to become available for free of charge, but after Neelie Kroes spoke to Steve Ballmer on the phone, it turns out that there's somewhat of a settlement in Europe (no appeal). Here are the details.

It will also allow that data to go to open source companies such as Linux, and will cut the price it charges for worldwide licenses — including patents — to less than 7 percent of what Microsoft originally claimed.

Three big questions still remain:

1. What will it be in Korea after Microsoft dropped its appeal?
2. What will happen in America as more and more states are finally waking up to see the abuse?
3. Why is Microsoft allowed to charge money after deliberately deviating from standards? As the following new article shows, Microsoft intends to continue with an "'independent' path".

Speaking to the Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco, Ballmer would not comment directly on any potential acquisitions, but he said Microsoft's current focus is the "independent path."

"If at some point it makes sense, maybe then it makes sense. But that's not where we are going. We are driving in an independent direction," said Ballmer in a question-and-answer session.

How much will companies be charged to interoperate because standards will be ignored and conceded (backed by the power of takeovers)?