In submissions that will be made available to the European Commission today, six technology companies state that Microsoft’s technical documentation is useful and helpful. The companies say they have successfully used that documentation to develop and release interoperable software products to the marketplace.

Among the companies affirming the quality as well as the value of Microsoft’s technical documentation are EMC Corporation, a leading provider of information management and storage products; StarBak Communications Inc., a leading developer of video communications systems for enterprise customers; TANDBERG Television Ltd., a pioneer in digital video compression and systems for the delivery of TV and on-demand content; and Network Appliances, a world leader in unified storage solutions.

All of the companies submitting statements are licensees in the Microsoft Communications Protocol Program (MCPP). MCPP licensees have successfully used technical documentation similar to that which Microsoft has created for potential licensees of the Windows Server Protocol Program (WSPP) mandated in 2004 by the Commission. As a result, MCPP licensees have already developed and released a total of 12 different products into the marketplace.