Slashdot Mirror
EU May Fine Microsoft
Yokaze writes: "The Wall Street Journal reports about a leaked European Comission document, that suggests that the EU may fine MS for anti-competitive behaviour. The fine can be up to 10% of the annual revenue, or $2.5 billion and may include the demand to remove certain programs from Windows.
The report harshly criticized MS way of taking influence in the case, even speaking of trying to mislead the observers.
Regarding the report of the WSJ, European Competition Commissioner Mario Monti said, that the case is still at a preliminary stage, since MS still has the right to defend itself at a hearing. Or in his own words: 'To speak of a fine when Microsoft has not yet disputed the Commission's preliminary findings both in fact and law -- as it it's right -- is premature.' Since the original is for subscribers only, take a look at Yahoo or the more detailed report from BBC News. Lastly with some different details a report from Heise in German."
I am simply shocked that that anyone at MS would do anything like this. Given the outstanding and excellent quality of Microsoft's products, you would expect the same high standards of quality product to apply to the legal and marketing departments.
Wait, it looks like they do.
"It is a greater offense to steal men's labor, than their clothes"
It just gives me this wonderful mental image of some european guy, sitting at a table with a little tiny cup of coffee, chainsmoking Gauliouses and screaming at a laptop: "Kerneel paneek!? Whut ze sheet is thees? Ahye gheef you segfawlt wheen you geet thees boot out of your hart drife"
I fail to see the difference to the same guy sitting before the same laptop now screaming "Why hus it purrformed an ileegal operashun again? Damn, the backup file iz not reedable any more!! Wot, it does reboot widout asking now? Hellooo?!". Which goes to show, stupid users are no excuse for dirty tactics nor badly written software.
Of course, I have an overactive imagination and a twisted view of what Europeans look and act like.
Maybe.
A World in a Grain of Sand / Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Infinity in the Palm of your Hand / And Eternity in an Hour.
fine MS a billion or so dollars and use it to fund [open source alternative]
Others here have already said what a stupid idea this is.
So at the risk of being modded down as redundant, I'll just echo the same.
What a stupid idea it is to fine a lawbreaker and use the proceeds in an attempt to try and undo the irreperable harm the lawbreaker has caused with their criminal conduct. Stupid man.
The government should not be trying to take money from our poor tobacco companies to pay for health care costs caused by lung cancer. And it would be insane to try to use seized organized crime assets to fund law enforcement efforts. Where will this insanity end? Next you'll be telling me that we should use seized assets from terrorist organizations to help fund the war on terrorism.
Don't suggest such stupid ideas here. After all, this is slashdot. We must protect our corporations. If we were to fine Microsoft it would hopelessly plunge the world economy into a downward spiral from which it would never recover and would ultimately spell the doom of everyone on the planet. And the court or govenment has no business trying to fine anyone. Or taxes either.
I'll see your senator, and I'll raise you two judges.
Not to mention students of criminology :)
Your right to not believe: Americans United for Separation of Church and
I bet there is a lot of antiamericanism in Europe : you've been there. I would myself be an anti-american if I had met you.
However such a move would create a shock in Europe, making everyone to realise how very dangerous the current situation is, being so dependant upon the software of a single (foreign) company.
Hah. Code Red, I Love You, Sir Cam, Nimda, whatever, should have tought that lesson long time ago.
You need Geritol, because you have irony-poor blood.