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Israeli Government Suspends Microsoft Contracts

Posted by simoniker on from the do-not-pass-go dept.

MartinB writes "According to The Register, in a double blow to Redmond, the Israeli government has both suspended all government contracts with Microsoft until at least the end of 2004, and Israeli Antitrust Authority director general Dror Strum has ruled that Microsoft is subject to US court limitations. At issue in part is Microsoft's refusal to support Hebrew in Mac versions of Office."

2 of 597 comments (clear)

  1. More than just convenience by the+man+with+the+pla · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I am an Isreali citizen living in the United States. It's true that I as a professional do almost all of my work in English. But I am writing to say that being able to use my native hebrew means an awful lot to me and my family. It's not a matter of convenience, it touches on our religous and cultural beliefs. I am very glad to see the government take this action.

    --
    The linux hacker
  2. Re:Foolish on both sides by Frostalicious · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Well, that's bullshit. Laws are laws... either Microsoft is a monopoly by their laws or not.

    Well according to the article, a monopoly in Israel is...."any company with 50 per cent market share. Tying is illegal, as is unreasonably refusing a service. violations are considered criminal felonies".

    Do I need to convince you that Microsoft has 50% market share on the desktop? I hope not. So they are a monopoly, and thus have additional obligations under Israeli law, like not "unreasonably refusing a service". Therefore the country CAN "use its laws to try to force a company to do certain things". It can force them to provide the service.

    I'm not sure on the details of this, but by the article, it seems that Bill Gates is now a criminal in Israel.