Sun wins right to submit Java as ISO standard

Sun Microsystems has won the first round in its battle to make Java an international standard, after gaining approval to submit its technology to the International Standards Organisation (ISO).

Of the 24 countries that had a vote, two abstained and 20 - including the UK - voted in favour of Sun's bid to be a publicly available submitter.

The US and China voted against the motion.

This decision enables Sun to put Java through two stages of approval - which will take several months to reach completion - for adoption as an ISO standard.

The move comes as Sun has formally requested that Microsoft remove the Java logo from its Explorer browser - part of the two companies' on-going legal war over Java licensing.

Michael Morris, Sun vice president and general counsel, said Sun had written to Microsoft, which has subsequently removed the logo from its Website, but not from its packaging.

He added that if the injunction were granted, Microsoft would have to remove the logo and recall the browser.

Microsoft group product manager, Cornelius Willis, denied violating Sun's licensing agreement.