Microsoft lawyers have joined the company's campaign against open-source software, restricting how developers may use what it terms "viral software" in connection with Microsoft programming tools. The license of the second beta version of Microsoft's Mobile Internet Toolkit--software used so programmers can create server software to connect with handheld computers over the Internet--prohibits customers from using the Microsoft software in conjunction with "potentially viral software." In describing this category of software, Microsoft includes the most common licenses used for publishing open-source software, such as the Linux operating system. Licenses specifically excluded by Microsoft include the General Public License, the Lesser General Public License, the Mozilla Public License and the Sun Industry Standards License.
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