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California Takes Issue With Microsoft Settlement Idea

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the you-can't-just-print-money dept.

Deepfoo writes: "Note from CNet on the California challenge to Microsoft's attempt to settle the 100 civil cases on file against it by donating equipment. The dissenters will argue that those harmed in the lawsuit aren't getting compensated directly in this way, and that the ploy of donating equipment to schools is a transparent effort to further extend its monopoly. The dissenting California lawyers estimate the actual damages due to Californians alone could be on the order of 3 to 9 billion (wide range, but that's what they've said). Is Microsoft a do-gooder, or up to no good?"

6 of 443 comments (clear)

  1. please fix url by theantix · · Score: 5, Informative

    should be http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-200-7978672.html

    --
    501 Not Implemented
  2. What would be nice... by Cpyder · · Score: 5, Informative

    is that California would ask Microsoft to take the approach RedHat suggested. (In short: MS buys the hardware and RedHat gives away the soft)

  3. Re:Is Microsoft a do-gooder, or up to no good? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Microsoft didn't propose this - the prosecution did. Microsoft decided it sounded like a decent outcome to get the case closed out. It's that simple. How this turned into a Microsoft idea, I have no idea, but obviously people cannot read.

  4. Re:I think... by jqcoffey · · Score: 2, Informative

    Okay first off, I am your average Microsoft hater, for all of the usual reasons, but to the point that against my generally open-minded principles I tend to shudder everytime I hear the letters, "MSCE."

    Anyway, with that in mind, is Microsoft doing anything that Apple and/or Sun haven't already done? Is this on such a large stage and with such hubris that no one can look at it against what other software and hardware vendors have done?

    Example is as follows: Sun donates a whole pile of hardware to UC San Diego. UCSD agrees to switch to Java as their CS Departments core language over C/C++.

  5. Re:A vile strategy by AzrealAO · · Score: 2, Informative

    Neither the Courts, nor the Government are prescribing this remedy. This has nothing to do with the DoJ anti-trust trial. This is a settlement proposed by the PLAINTIFF's Lawyers in a collection of civil class-action lawsuits.

  6. You have 15 hours to Do Something about it by jeffsilv · · Score: 3, Informative
    Please! There is something you can do about this!!! Go to Red Hat's web site and get the contact information and then FAX the judge. He is soliciting input via FAX!

    If we don't do it, then it won't get done. Even a one page letter ("This is a bad idea, don't do it!") will be helpful.

    The letter should be FAXed to

    Hon. Judge J. Frederick Motz, H.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, Fax #: (410) 962-7574