Big Blue changes its tune and starts arguing that rival Sun should be drafted as a key member of a new Web services standards body. What will Microsoft make of that?
In an about-face, IBM is paving the way for rival Sun Microsystems to join a key Web services standards organization, hoping to quell political infighting that could put a damper on the emerging technology. At issue is a three-month old industry consortium, called the Web Services Interoperability Organization (WS-I), that aims to promote Web services by ensuring software from various technology makers is compatible.
Sun has in the past accused IBM and Microsoft, co-founders of the organization, of engaging in "political shenanigans" for not allowing Sun to join as an equal partner. Sun in February was invited to join as a "contributing" member, but has ignored the invitation, campaigning instead for more influential "founding board member" status, so it can help set the group's agenda.
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