Microsoft wants its Sender ID framework to be more popular to get back more revenue into its coffers and its willing to do that under its Open Specification Promise (OSP) program. Sender ID is an anti-spam technology born out of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), which Microsoft participated in and holds a number of patents. Up until the OSP release, those patents made the Microsoft implementation of Sender ID incompatible with more relaxed, open licenses, such as the GNU General Public License.

According to Mac News :

However, intellectual property questions arose two years ago about possible patent claims Microsoft might be likely to make over the application. After that, the likelihood that Sender ID would provide the platform for an industrywide standard diminished amid fears by some developers that Microsoft would go after them for royalties.

“There have been lingering questions from some members of the development community about the licensing terms from Microsoft and how those terms may affect their ability to implement Sender ID,” said Brian Arbogast, corporate vice president of the Windows Live Platform Development Group at Microsoft. “By putting Sender ID under the Open Specification Promise, our goal is to put those questions to rest and advance interoperable efforts for online safety worldwide.”

Microsoft, the world’s largest computer software company, has reported earnings that topped analyst forecasts. Net profit was $3.48bn (£1.8bn), or 35 cents a share, in the three months to 30 September, from $3.14bn a year ago. Analysts had forecast 31 cents a share and said earnings would have been stronger had there not been delays to Microsoft’s new Vista operating system.

The company said that the main driver of growth was strong sales of its server software, such as SQL Server. Total quarterly sales climbed to $10.8bn, also a rise of 11% from the same period a year earlier. “My first take is it was impressive on the top line and the bottom line,” said Kim Caughey, an analyst at Pitt Capital. “All things look good at this point. That is the barometer for the other stocks we own,” she added.

Mike Binder, a fund manager at Thrivent Financial, said that a main uncertainty for Microsoft was the release of its Vista programme that, due to replace its best-selling Windows product. Microsoft could not give better guidance for the year “until Vista unfolds”, he said. Microsoft is expected to release its Windows Vista programme before the end of this year, and will also put out an upgrade of its Office product. Vista is now due to reach business customers in November and consumers in January. Microsoft had originally aimed to launch Vista in August 2006.

See, hear, and share life memories with a new Microsoft webcam. Download a U.S.$15 rebate on Microsoft LifeCam VX-6000, or $10 on LifeCam VX-3000.

Lifecam VX-3000 features :

High Definition photos (1.3 megapixels interpolated) show you in the best light. The built-in microphone automatically picks up your voice with remarkable clarity. Just press the Windows Live™ Call Button and select an Online Contact to start a video call. Automatic Face-Tracking Software where you move around without disappearing from the screen—advanced software keeps your face front and center.

Now’s the time to go on a trip to visit your old friends and Microsoft will pay for the trip too. They are having a promotion for users of Windows Live Messenger who add in their Yahoo Contacts.

Rules on the site say : Must be 18 year or older and a US resident. Trip awarded as a $3,000 travel voucher.

Win a Trip Using MSN Messenger site