Becta hauls Microsoft off to OFT

Becta, the UK government's adviser on IT in schools, has taken Microsoft to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) over anti-competitive practices - but open source campaigners say Becta is still effectively promoting Microsoft.

Mark Taylor of the Open Source Consortium pressure group said: "This is a mini-step in the right direction but what Becta is actually doing is keeping Microsoft in front of the market to the exclusion of alternatives."

He claimed Becta's complaint is part of the process of negotiating a new contract for the use of Microsoft technology in schools and will therefore only add to the visibility of Microsoft in the market.

In a statement, Becta said it is taking Microsoft to the OFT because negotiations had stalled, with no movement on "the limitations Microsoft places on schools using its subscription licensing arrangements and the potential interoperability difficulties for schools, pupils and parents who wish to use alternatives to Microsoft's Office suite, including 'free-to-use' alternatives".

In January 2007, Becta issued an interim report that raised issues over choice, competition and value for money for schools and recommended schools don't take on Microsoft's Schools Agreement subscription licence until these issues are resolved. Becta also recommended schools delay any use of Windows Vista or Office 2007 until interoperability issues - particularly with the open source ODF format - are ironed out.

Despite its apparent frustration with Microsoft, Becta does not actively promote open source. A Becta spokesman said: "Open source is a separate issue, and schools can make their own decision. We don't recommend specific technologies - we promote the use of technology per se."

But the Open Source Consortium's Taylor said of Becta: "They're in danger of looking a bit silly, giving the market a non-recommendation and showing a lack of direction."

Becta hopes Microsoft will "move promptly to address the issues raised" and suggests schools using Microsoft software should buy it instead of subscribing until the OFT complaint is sorted out.

Becta's final report on Microsoft's academic licensing programmes, which was scheduled for January 2008, will now be deferred until the OFT complaint is resolved. The final report on Vista and Office 2007 is also scheduled for January 2008.

A Microsoft spokesperson said: "We have not yet seen a copy of Becta's letter, so we are unable to make a specific comment at this stage. Every day, schools across the UK benefit through using our technology and participating in our academic programmes. We are in ongoing discussions with Becta on this matter."

Peter Judge writes for ZDNet UK