Slashdot Mirror
Microsoft Anti-Trust Rulings Due Tomorrow
ewhac writes "The Associated Press is reporting that Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly will deliver her opinions on the Microsoft anti-trust suit tomorrow, after close of markets. Much speculation revolves around whether she will approve or reject the settlement negotiated by the Justice Department. Should she reject it, she can only offer suggestions for improvement; she cannot impose amendments. Watch this site for further developments :-)." Reader acacia points out that the opinions should be posted at this site, if you want a quick bookmark.
It's unlikely that anyone besides the zealots here on Slashdot and the judge who couldn't keep his big mouth shut could come to the conclusion that Microsoft needs to be broken into itty bitty pieces.
The real remedy is not to break them up (which would only create multiple monopolies (ha!)), but to require them to pay a hefty fine (on the order of a couple billions) and agree to a more generous OEM licensing contract scheme.
The problem is that they are forcing machine makers to ship Windows as-is and punishes them for shipping otherwise. If the contracts were altered such that OEMs could ship other OSs without fear of retribution or to customize OS installations without the same fear, the monopoly power of Microsoft will be broken. And it will be broken without causing massive damage to Microsoft, OEMs, or to the economy (which, as Scotty says, "Can't take much more, Cap'n!").
> Is starving retirees really necessary in this case?
Well, theres one positive to starving retirees.
If they die, then we get the added benefit of a lowered burden on Social Security for future generations.
This will generate a surplus, which Bush can then use to buy more missiles for his Star Wars playset.
I'll feel much safer once that happens, won't you?