Microsoft has begun a complex dance with competing security software suppliers, notably McAfee and Norton, to satisfy them about their ability to continue to sell their products to buyers of its new operating system, Vista. There is another party to the negotiations as well, the EU Commission for European sales and the Korean government for sales there which are trying to make sure the negotiations work out in the public interest and settled law (see yahoo news here and here.)

The news stories suggest that all is largely agreed in the negotiations, but it seems much more likely that this is only the beginning of a back-and-forth in which each side sees how much more it can get. Microsoft is quite clearly responding to user criticism that the security of its products in the past has been insufficient at best, so its attempts to provide better security must be seen as good. One can be reasonably sure that security will be enhanced and consumers will benefit, but whether the negotiations end up with a really great deal for consumers is questionable, at this point.