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EU Finds Microsoft Guilty Of Abusing Monopoly

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the off-with-head dept.

cabalamat2 writes "The European Commission's draft report on Microsoft says they are guilty of abusing their monopoly position. The ruling proposes that Microsoft be fined; the amount of the fine will be decided in March or April, and the maximum fine permitted is 10% of Microsoft's global turnover, about $3.2bn. Microsoft are allowed to appeal against any judgement that goes against them, to the Court of First Instance, and it's expected they will do so, to drag out the process as long as possible."

4 of 57 comments (clear)

  1. But monopolies that encourage slavery are ok by eht · · Score: 5, Insightful

    For some reason Microsoft whose only real crime is too much capitalism while DeBeers's monopolistic practices encourage slavery and for real wars.

  2. Wake me up in 2007 by etymxris · · Score: 5, Insightful

    When Microsoft will have finished their appeals. By that time, they will have already crushed the competitors whose misfortunes initiated this inquiry. Furthermore, new anti-trust violations will be pending on new behavior, which will not be settled for another few years.

    Late justice may as well be no justice. The courts of the US and EU need to find a way to act more swiftly in such matters.

    1. Re:Wake me up in 2007 by etymxris · · Score: 5, Insightful
      Hey, give the EU some credit. At least they are imposing a penalty.
      Yes, I agree, this is commendable. But I seem to remember a much more severe judgement being handed down several years ago--the splitting of the company. Unfortunately, that did not survive appeal. While the current judgement is a good sign, it means nothing until the appeals have been fully resolved.
  3. Who gets the money? by Dr.+Bent · · Score: 5, Funny

    What I want to know is, if they do get fined $3.2 billion, who gets it? I suppose the lawyers will get thier cut before anyone else, but what are they going to do with the $2 or $3 million left after that?