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Microsoft Defies EU Commission
otahkgeek writes "Wired News is reporting that Microsoft claims that by removing Windows Media Player from Windows, it would be forced to ship a substandard version to European consumers. This is on the heels of a three-day hearing by a European commission to determine the validity of charges that Microsoft illegally abused its power over the home computer market."
I guess M$ figures that if G.W. Bush can get away with defying the EU (by slapping tarriffs on EU steel, which the WTO has ruled are illegal) then why should B. Gates be able to get away with it?
"Freedom means freedom for everybody" -- Dick Cheney
Bill really is looking out for the customers. You see, he feels hurt that he'd be forced to give them a product that would do anything less than completely lock out all of those....."undesirable" programs.
Buy Steampunk Clothing Online!
This is horrible, as a user I am doubtfull of what this means for the DRM I was so looking forward to and the universal acceptance of IE/WMP as the de facto standard for all streaming media!!
</sarcasm>
And with iTunes getting hotter and hotter each week, this might actually do something to level the playing field. Unlike here in the states where they were punished with a fat Gov't education account. Damaging who else, but their competitor, Apple Computer Inc. who had until recently been a big player in Education.
So how hard is it to renounce my unwanted US citizenship and get a shiny new citizenship in say, any member nation of the EU, where the gov't seems less tolatarian and dare I say sane?
It's bad news for anyone who owns a business (other than Real) and does not want the Government to tell them what to do.
No reason to lie.
American /. reader here! Now no offense intended, but can the ministers of the EU be bought or threatened? American Justices are up for sale, it seems.
It warmed the cockles of my part-German heart when Munchen told MS to shove it, I just hope that the whole of the EU has the moxie to stand up to BillyG.
Your leaders showed backbone against Prez Bush when Saddam owed you Billions. But having the backbone to do what is right for their people and the world when the real "Great Satan" is offering billions to those those same leaders is quite another.
People of the European Union, Reagan told Gorbachev to "tear down this wall!" Now it is your turn to say: "Mr Gates: Tear down this Monopoly!"
keep those illegal steel tariffs! Remember you need to win votes
If he wants my vote, only way that's going to happen is a 500% tarriff on "Offshoring" jobs, to be paid directly to the laid-off employees.
No wait, alternatively, how about a pair of laws:
1) Every executive who decides to "Offshore" any American job must have his recent photo, full legal name, and home address published on posters to be placed in Union Halls, Gun Stores, and Places where Alcohol is Served, and
2) Any American whose job has been "offshored" shall be considered to be under "extreme emotional duress," "not responsible for his actions," and "Not Guilty of murder" for a period of one year.
Now THAT, I would vote for.