EU Says Microsoft's Abuses Are Ongoing
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.
Four steps to becoming a superpower:
1. Standardise your currency
2. Build a fighter jet
3. Develop your own GPS system
4. Confront Microsoft
I'm waiting for China and India to have a go at them...
I may be pointing out the obvious here, but there's plenty of other platforms that you can be running other than Windows. Microsoft hardly has a monopoly when there are hundreds of operating systems available. Maybe people just prefer Windows because it is superior and has the most software support? If you don't like it then switch to Linux/*BSD/MacOSX, etc.
4 years of investigating MS and this is all they could come up with? Looks like the EU has an over-abundance of greedy bureaucrats who want to perpepuate their careers.
Go ahead and force MS to sell those in the EU a copy w/o WMP. Now EU users will be forced to pay $30 to $40 to Real, Music Match, Quicktime, etc. to get the same functionality they get for free with WMP.
Tax rates in the EU are not 'very high'--in fact, they are in line with the rest of the world.
It bloody well is high - show us some proof that its in line with the rest of the world (and even if you could, thats not the same as meaning its low)
For the high taxes paid by US citizens, they continue to see cuts in services and a crumbling safety net.
Much like in europe.
I suggest you check your facts.
Show us yours.
If Google really cared they would fix Android Chrome to reflow text, instead of discriminating
This is pure evil. It's like Robinhood, taking from the rich and giving to the poor. The poor, Sun and Oracle, have not been cheated they simply cannot compete with Microsoft. Instead of innovating new technologies stay alive these companies are lobbying that Microsoft be punished for having made/acquired the innovations. This is not capitalism, this is socialism. Besides, any 10 year old can download a Real Player if they choose. Are these actions to protect the ignorant? I think not, they are trying to punish Microsoft for being successful.