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EU Says Microsoft's Abuses Are Ongoing

Posted by michael on from the emperor-has-no-clothes dept.

levell writes "Although the legal difficulties Microsoft was having in the US seem to be drawing to a close, it's not yet over in the EU. In this story, the BBC reports that the EU says it is still abusing its monopoly with Windows Media Player, and perhaps more interestingly from a Linux point of view, also in the low-end server market. The story is also being covered on CNN, Ananova, Reuters, etc." The EU's press release is informative.

3 of 561 comments (clear)

  1. Microsoft is not the "monopoly" it once was by jplvr1 · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Microsoft did have a hold on the computing world for quite some time and still do to some extent, but it's not a monopoly. The resurgence of Apple has made a dent, if even a small one, in Billy's power. I don't see them fading off anytime soon. Sure I buy PC's right now for the office, but my next home computer will probably be a Mac. Linux is basically the new kid on the block, but with so many places out there pimping for them, it has to cause a ripple some time. Maybe I'm just naive, but I just don't see the anti-trust case as it stands right now being able to hold up. I will place my hope in the free-market can take down Microsoft the same way it built the complany.

    --
    Best Web Based Game
  2. Re:It's about the Users by DrEldarion · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Hey! A voice of reason!

    It makes NO sense. Honestly, should Joe Average have to try and figure out how to download a browser and media player? Especially without a browser there in the first place to go look for what they want? What if they don't have internet access? How are they going to get programs to play any media then?

    Bundling these products is GOOD FOR THE CONSUMER. People who know how and want something else can go out and download other browsers or media players. People who don't have the knowledge to do that can use the ones pre-installed. Why is this such a problem?

    The answer is NOT to bundle someone ELSE'S software with Windows. Sure, some people might like it, but why should one company be forced to promote someone else's product? Would it be fair to make McDonald's sell Burger King's food just because they're the most successful and it's "unfair" to BK? How would you feel if (insert Linux distribution here) became the #1 OS and they were forced to bundle IE with it to be fair to Microsoft? Sure, you could say "I could just install something else...", but that's exactly what you can do now!

    This shouldn't be a problem. People always have a choice. They can always go out and get what they want. If they're not knowledgeable enough to do that, then they're not knowledgeable enough to go get something in the first place, hence the bundling.

    -- Dr. Eldarion --

  3. Re:Why wasn't MS split? by sheldon · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    We at /. should know this better than most.

    No, you just ignore more facts than most.

    Someone with a six digit userid shouldn't be claiming to speak for /.