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RealPC For Mac Delayed By MS Cease And Desist

Posted by timothy on from the but-you-can-still-open-98-windows dept.

mgh02114 writes "Microsoft recently purchased the Windows-on-a-Mac emulation program "Virtual PC" from Connectix. Since then, FWB announced that they were working to revive their competing 'Real PC' Windows emulation program for Macintosh OS X. Well, now it looks like Microsoft is trying to kill that program as well. FWB announced that: 'FWB is working diligently to update Real PC and Softwindows for OSX. In May, while working on this project, we received a setback in the form of a cease and desist letter from Microsoft. We are working to resolve the issues with Microsoft, and this has caused some delay, much to our frustration. We are committed to having a beta for you to test for us and help us optimize, this summer. We think we have only lost a few weeks of time to this issue.' FWB appreciates your continued patience and support."

4 of 100 comments (clear)

  1. This is not the whole story by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    What the RealPC guy doesn't tell you is that he SOLD his business to Connectix a few years ago. This is how Connectix did the product for Mac. VitrualPC is nothing but the evolution of RealPC.
    When Connectix PURCHASED the IP from RealPC, the contract was saying that RealPC would not be able to sell anymore this product, as it was not theirs anymore. Now that MS bought Connectix's IP, VirtualPC that is, that idiot RealPC guy THOUGHT that he would be able to re-sell his own app!! What a loonie! He signed for the contract that now MS is owning.

    MS only does what they should do here, as they own that IP. RealPC seems to have its head on its a$$.

    1. Re:This is not the whole story by goombah99 · · Score: 3, Informative
      hmmm....maybe this guy is actually clever. He gets massive press coverage when ms sues and thenhe changes his name to UnrealPC or something and everyon now knows that UNrealPC is really realPC. good way to laubder brand loyalty to associate it with a new product.

      the thing is I somehow doubt your claim. as I recall softPC and virtualPC were competitors being sold at the same time for a while. They supposedly worked on differtent principles with VirtualPC running windows near native emulating the CPU while softPC focused more on emulating windows with ppc native repalcements for the API. maybe i'm wrong.

      --
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    2. Re:This is not the whole story by bnenning · · Score: 4, Informative
      VitrualPC is nothing but the evolution of RealPC.


      I don't believe that's the case. IIRC Connectix developed VPC from scratch. For a while VPC and SoftWindows/RealPC were competitors, but VPC had better compatibility and performance, so Insignia discontinued the product and sold the rights to FWB. Someone correct me if I'm wrong...

      --
      How to solve most of our problems: 1.Lots of nuclear plants. 2.Cure aging.
  2. Virtual PC is NOT virtual Windows by pauljlucas · · Score: 4, Informative

    Virtual PC software emulates commodity PC hardware. It does not emulate Windows. If you choose to use Windows under Virtual PC, you use a bona fide Microsoft Windows installer CD. Alternatively, you're free to install x86 Linux under Virtual PC as well.

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