Stac, Microsoft squabble over interface for data compression. (Stac Electronics Inc.'s Stacker and Microsoft Corp.'s Real-time Compression Interface) (Brief Article)

Microsoft Corp. and Stac Electronics Inc. last week simultaneously announced competing program interfaces for data compression and -- although both claimed to be standards -- Stac already holds the lead.

True to the Redmond, Wash., company's style, Microsoft is aiming to convince users that its Real-time Compression Interface (MRCI) data compression is a standard, months before it debuts this spring in DOS 6.0.

Stac has been selling its Stacker data compression utilities for two years and claims that as many as 4 million users have adopted its technology. It shipped 300,000 copies of its utilities last quarter alone.

Stac also sued Microsoft last week, …