Embedded-software firm files antitrust suit

Green Hills Software files a suit alleging that rival Wind River adopted a plan to monopolize the developer tool market.

Stephen Shankland Former Principal Writer

Stephen Shankland worked at CNET from 1998 to 2024 and wrote about processors, digital photography, AI, quantum computing, computer science, materials science, supercomputers, drones, browsers, 3D printing, USB, and new computing technology in general. He has a soft spot in his heart for standards groups and I/O interfaces. His first big scoop was about radioactive cat poop.

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Shankland covered the tech industry for more than 25 years and was a science writer for five years before that. He has deep expertise in microprocessors, digital photography, computer hardware and software, internet standards, web technology, and more.

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Stephen Shankland

Jan. 18, 2005 5:14 p.m. PT

Green Hills Software filed an antitrust lawsuit Tuesday alleging that rival Wind River adopted a plan to monopolize the developer tool market for its VxWorks, a Wind River embedded operating system used to run computing devices such as radar systems or nerve gas detectors. Wind River stopped providing operating system software necessary for Green Hills to create its programming tools, according to the suit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Wind River spokeswoman Kathleen Shanahan said the company is examining the claim but declined to comment on its particulars. It's not the opening salvo between the companies: Wind River sued Green Hills in June 2004 in Alameda County, Calif., Superior Court, alleging that Green Hills breached a cooperative agreement by becoming a direct competitor.