Why Are Licenses To Microsoft Still Mandatory?

Space Cow asks: "I am in the market for a laptop computer and priced some machines at Dell. You have no choice during customization (unless you choose the more expensive Linux machine) to avoid purchasing a Microsoft OS and a Microsoft Productivity suite. I spoke with a Dell sales rep and he said that they can easily remove the Microsoft software, but the price doesn't change! What? I have to pay for 2 MS licenses even if I don't want their software! I thought this was changing due to the case against Microsoft and other recent events (Refund Day, etc). Any ideas of how to get Dell to lower the price for a no software machine? If I buy the machine with MS software, am I eligible for a rebate?" It seems that even when they are being watched, Microsoft is still trying its best to cram its software down our throats. Microsoft long ago removed the rebate clause from their EULA so now it appears that the only way to get Linux installed on Dell machines is to pay them more for the privilege. Would someone please explain to me the logic behind that?