Sun and Microsoft: Friend and foe

Sun settles with Microsoft, announces layoffs

update The agreement dictates that Microsoft must make $1.95 billion in payments to Sun, which separately says it will cut 3,300 jobs, as its string of losses continues.
April 2, 2004

New software chief named at Sun

In its first major staff reshuffling following Friday's announcement, the company appoints a new head of software operations and says another top executive is leaving.
April 5, 2004

Even with settlement, future cloudy for Sun

The server maker may have settled longstanding legal disputes with Microsoft, but it's still in the shadow of other major problems.
April 2, 2004

Can the cease-fire halt the war?

Scott McNealy spent years sniping at the "evil empire" of Bill Gates. Now, a more customer-centric approach unites the archrivals, forcing them to bury the hatchet.
April 2, 2004

He said what? McNealy's war of words

Sun CEO Scott McNealy has launched so many wicked verbal attacks on Microsoft over the years that Microsoft's nearly $2 billion settlement could be considered hush money.
April 2, 2004

A kinder, gentler Scott McNealy? Scott McNealy, CEO, Sun Microsystems

Microsoft reveals a softer side

The software giant's decision to settle with Sun over antitrust and patent issues underscores a change in attitude that has been building through a series of rancorous legal disputes.
April 2, 2004

What's on their mind? Linux and IBM

perspective CNET News.com's Charles Cooper says the Microsoft-Sun deal boils down to a simple formula: The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
April 2, 2004

Is Sun selling out?

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From jabs to chuckles

newsmaker Seemingly transitioning from adversaries to partners, Microsoft's Steve Ballmer and Sun Microsystems' Scott McNealy discuss both shtick and their mutual focus on IBM.
April 2, 2004

Deal signals respect for patents

The two companies say a complex legal framework and "patent regime" protecting intellectual property were necessary to not only settle past disputes but also to pave the way for deep technical collaboration.
April 2, 2004

Settling down?

newsmaker Microsoft's top attorney, Brad Smith, says the software giant's recent antitrust settlements reflect its "very committed" stance on industry collaboration.
April 2, 2004

Sun also rises

commentary Forrester experts say Sun Microsystems' major deal with Microsoft makes Solaris and other assets shine more brightly.
April 2, 2004