In a settlement agreement reached in January 2001 to resolve a dispute over Microsoft's distribution of its Java implementation, Microsoft and Sun agreed to limit the duration of Microsoft's use of Sun's source code and compatibility test suites to support the MSJVM. Because some developers and enterprises have expressed concern about their ability to eliminate dependencies on the MSJVM in the time originally provided, Microsoft and Sun have agreed to a longer period to permit a smooth transition from the MSJVM.

Over the past months, both companies have engaged in significant efforts to facilitate the transition away from the MSJVM. Microsoft has continued the process of phasing out the MSJVM in its products. Both Microsoft and Sun have provided technologies and support programs to simplify the transition to current technologies.