Microsoft offers to share some secrets

REDMOND, Washington (AP) -- Microsoft Corp. says it will share more information about its products and technology. The company wants to make it easier for developers to create software that work with its products.

The Redmond, Washington-based software company said Thursday it will ensure open connections to its high-volume products by publishing technical information about them on its Web site.

Microsoft won't make software developers obtain a license or pay royalties or other fees.

With Thursday's announcement, Microsoft is hoping to make it easier for software developers to make products that work well with the Vista computer operating system, Office word processing application and other key Microsoft products.

Google Inc. has been successful in encouraging developers to make add-ons for Google's maps and other popular services. Google is increasingly challenging Microsoft's dominance in software products.

European Union regulators expressed skepticism over Microsoft's latest offer to share more information about its products and technology.

The EU said in a statement Thursday it has seen four other similar statements in the past from the world's largest software maker.

The EU also said it would welcome any move toward "genuine interoperability." And regulators added they'll continue to check if Microsoft is complying with antitrust rules. E-mail to a friend

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