Not Invented Here

KEY MICROSOFT PRODUCTS & TECHNOLOGIES INVENTED BY OTHERS

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A

ccording to Microsoft's official party line, the company is pledged to "continue to vigorously defend the right of every American company to innovate and continually improve its products for consumers. We cannot compromise on this principle."

Fine words, and a wonderful sentiment, without question. But left to their own devices, how closely has the company adhered to these grandly stated principles? Stepping back for a moment to take in the broader view, we must ask ourselves just how much innovation the company has contributed to the technological commonweal.

One well known fact: Microsoft has invented essentially none of the fundamental technologies underlying the computing revolution -- quite a remarkable feat for company of its size, wealth and influence. But it is also notable how, as evidenced by the list below, many of Microsoft's flagship products were originally produced by outside sources, or are completely dependent on technologies invented by others. Another salient feature of this list is the number of times these acquisitions were colored with hostile overtones.

These facts should lead us to ponder the implications of an industry leader, and a self-proclaimed innovator, which contributes so little to the advancement of technology in general, and to question the company's habit of obtaining what they desire by dubious means.

Is Microsoft really an inventive company, and we simply haven't figured it out? Offer contributions to the Microsoft Hall of Innovation.

Close Combat
Popular game purchased from Atomic Games.

Flight Simulator
Purchased from the Bruce Artwick Organization.

FrontPage
Microsoft's HTML editor was purchased from Vermeer Technologies in 1996.

FoxPro
This database application came along with Microsoft's purchase of Fox Software in 1986.

Internet Explorer
Desperate to play catch-up in the fast-moving Internet world, Microsoft licensed code from Spyglass, Inc. (one of the two licensees of the original Mosaic code base) in 1995, and called it MSIE. Microsoft then proceeded to distribute MSIE for free, denying Spyglass substantial royalties for their key contribution to the product.

MS-DOS
The original Microsoft cash cow, this CP/M clone (then called Q-DOS) was purchased from the Seattle Computer Company in 1981. Microsoft then proceeded to thwart Seattle Computer's license rights to the product. The tiny company sued Microsoft and prevailed in court.

Object Linking Environment (OLE)
Microsoft settled a suit with Wang Labs over patent infringement code portions of OLE, which is also the heart of Microsoft's ActiveX.

PowerPoint
This presentation software package was renamed and rebranded after Microsoft's purchase of Forethought, Inc., in 1987.

SQL Server 6.0
This important database product is based on code purchased from Sybase in 1988.

Visual Basic
Ruby, the foundation for Microsoft's highly important Visual Basic product, was purchased from Cooper Software in 1991.

Visual C++
Microsoft purchased the Lattice C code compiler, which became Visual C++, Microsoft's software development environment.

Visual SourceSafe
Purchased from OneTree Software. Shortly after OneTree's SourceSafe was released, Microsoft preannounced a similar application called Microsoft Delta, which failed to sell. Microsoft then purchased OneTree and renamed SourceSafe as Microsoft Visual SourceSafe.

Windows
Technologies used in Windows multitasking came to Microsoft with their purchase of Dynamical Systems in 1986. Portions of the interface were licensed from Apple Computer, also in 1986.

Xenix
Microsoft's version of Unix was actually written under contract by the Santa Cruz Operation (SCO).