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Microsoft Settles Be Antitrust Suit for $23.25M
ewhac writes "Without admitting wrongdoing, Microsoft today agreed to pay $23,250,000 to Be, Inc., to settle anti-trust claims against the software giant. The payout is anticipated to be used to complete the orderly dissolution of the company. Shortly after announcing sale of key assets to Palm, Be, Inc., filed suit against Microsoft in February 2002, alleging destruction of its business via illegal exclusionary and anti-competitive business practices."
Microsoft calls it 'Freedom to Innovate', everybody else calls it 'Freedom to Violate'.
Now that Microsoft has settled with Be for $23 million dollars, they'll have to cut back to 12 towels a day to wipe down dancing monkeyboy Ballmer. He'll be significantly moister with everything that that entails. I feel truly sorry for the Microsoft employees working in his immediate proximity.
It's different in that MS was already established as a virtual monopoly and used these tactics in order to raise the barrier to entry even higher - to near impossible.
This would be like your warplane analogy only if the DoD had a contract with Boeing saying that, in order to receive a decent price on the B-52, they could buy Boeing, and only Boeing warplanes. A bit different in my book.
The only reason why MS could settle this case is that Be agreed to the terms of the settlement.
It's no more sad that MS could settle this case for a "paltry" $23 mil than it is that Be would actually accept that settlement.
And when the smoke cleared in the dusty street outside the courthouse, Microsoft was left, a few bullets short, still smirking.
... formidible arsenal might not be enough to protect you someday. Dead men like these do say something about you, you know."
The old judge watched on and winced at the display of street "justice", knowing he had no role in this display. Still, he spoke: "You aught to be careful, Mr. Microsoft. Your...attitude may bring such antagonism that even your
"Bah", Microsoft said, turning. Soon, Mr. Microsoft's gun barrel wavered towards the judge's general direction, "Dead men tell no tales." Mr. Microsoft then promptly holstered his weapon, tipped his hat, and rode away, honor still officially intact.
Ryan Fenton
"Damnit! We should have filed a lawsuit against Microsoft instead of Big Blue!" -- Darl
".. it is a daunting concept no matter how easy it is"
I love that phrase. I am going to use it on monday.
"This project is a daunting concept no matter how easy it is."
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
To be honest, living in the belly of the beast itself, Seattle, I see these weirdo's on an almost daily basis. I actually have spent many a drunken night courting these folks at bars in town and lemme tell ya, they are all cultishly 1000500% behind the company and everything they stand for.
In fact, last week, I was telling some finance woman the reason why the worms and virus are so dominant, how it was base level crap that allowed the vulnerabilities, and all she could say to me, with a golden hued gleam in her eyes was:
"Thats why we put security features in both IE and Outlook."
I said to her:
"Well, so thats great, but did it stop these worms and virus attacks?"
She got uncomfortable, and began to talk about what a great company Microsoft was...
its very low. some of them are almost seen shedding a tear as they drive to there mansions in a Lexus thats almost 3 years old.
Truley a sad day.
Personally, I hope it drives out of the company.
You can't be in the devils band, and not be part of the music.
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
Simple - Microsoft didn't have the resources, either.
Their orcs, err, lawyers, have been sent to Isengard, err, SCO, to help with the capture of the One Line of Code.
Damned Linux Hobbits.
Whose Passport ID gets used to transfer that amount of money?
Money not found! A)bort, R)etry, D)eclare Bankruptcy
Think about it:
1 people work too many hours, they live and breath 10,12, 16+ hour a day inside MS. Most employees are sleep deprived.
There diet is generally poor.
They listen to the MS propaganda all the time.
when they go out they almost exclusivly go out with MS employees.
The company expects that Wives and children are second to the company.
then within the company, you have 'cells' of people. If you interact 'inapproprietly' towards another cell, your leader can make your life hell, so you always smile.
OTOH, somedays I wish I was so completly blind, I could ignore the worlds problems.
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
"She got uncomfortable, and began to talk about what a great company Microsoft was..."
Typical Borg reaction.
I actually have spent many a drunken night courting these folks at bars in town
Dude,
You're never gonna get laid this way.
The PC vendors asked Microsoft out on a date. Microsoft agrees, and the relationship begins to grow and develop. After dating for a while, a new girl shows up (Be), and some PC vendors ask her to dinner. Microsoft complains that Be is getting all of the attention now, and threatens to be less available for dinner and drinks on Friday. Most of the PC vendors decide they prefer Microsoft, so they leave Be to go patch things up with MSFT. Be dies of heartbreak and her parents (children?) sue Microsoft for wrongful death.
But it DID have IE preinstalled.
That should change RSN.
That was classic intercourse!
with 25 million in vouchers for M$ software
(restrictions apply, voucher should not exceed 50% of purchase price, not valid for Office, Windows family products, or development software.)
Bill Gates was later asked to comment on the outcome of the lawsuit.
When prompted, Mr. Gates stated, "This is truly an unfortunate turn of events. We are saddened by the verdict, and it will take quite some time before we can recouperate our losses."
Mr. Gates then ripped a juicy fart, and followed up by stating, "Ahh. I just earned another $25 million."
You know she's a MS Borg, but damn man some of them are hot. Don't attack head on or she'll raise her sheilds. I realize the Geek Gene in you thinks technical accuracy is more important the reproduction, but you must resist. Remember your objective.
Try something like...
"Thats why we put security features in both IE and Outlook."
"That sounds fascinating! I am awed that you actually work for the company that created such great innovative products. Lets go back to my place and you can check out my security settings."
Maybe slip something in about your big hard drive and hot processor.