$ cat ./records/microsoft-pays-sun-microsystems-1-6-billion-to-settle-the-java-wa-2004.txt
Microsoft Pays Sun Microsystems $1.6 Billion to Settle the Java Wars
[RECORD.TXT] · cat --full
In April 2004, Microsoft agreed to pay Sun Microsystems about $1.6 billion — roughly $700 million to settle Sun's antitrust claims and $900 million over patents — to end years of bitter litigation, much of it centered on Sun's cross-platform Java technology, which Sun accused Microsoft of trying to fracture. The deal, struck while Bill Gates was chairman and chief software architect, also launched a surprise cooperation pact between the longtime rivals. It was one of a string of large settlements Microsoft paid to clear the legal overhang from its antitrust era.
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