Microsoft Facing European Sanctions

Shakrai writes "CNN and Money Magazine are reporting that a draft decision by the EU committee overseeing the Microsoft investigation appears to recommend fairly severe sanctions against our favorite software company. The article states that the ruling will likely force Microsoft to offer a second version of Windows without 'built-in audiovisual software' (Windows Media Player) for EU customers. While this sounds like a good thing, the article also mentions that Microsoft has an appeals process and will likely get an injunction against enforcement while they pursue said appeal, which may take years."

Comments

what's that noise

[Anonymous Coward]

oh yeah its America's economy being flushed down the toilet

Re:Why wouldn't I want windows to play back videos

[maunleon]

Avoid DRM? You must be kidding. Besides, DRM only affects media made for DRM.

Non-compliance to standards? Since when is there a standard for media players?

who-nows-what in the future? Great, real player is someone we can trust with the future of less-than-savy computer players.

die realsched.exe, die.
die realevent.exe die.

Re:On top of existing EU sanctions

[itbwtcl]

"you know that USA is already under sanctions (for the first time ever in history) from the EU over "fair trade" (or the lack of it) and its starting to bite do not piss off those who feed you, 6bn people can continue without 280m troublemakers if that is what it takes for fair world trade. the present administration has set your standings in the world back by at least 20years if not more, the EU (or the rest of the world) doesn't believe a word you say and Buisness is realising it too, trust once lost is very hard to regain, all in the space of 4years. shame really because the old America was fun to know

Ok, anonymous troll. I will state this very clearly, for you. With the exception of a very small portion of the population, people in the US have no design for world domination. You call them "280m trouble makers." This is pure nationalistic bigotry.

When the EU has become the dominant trade force (outside of possibly China), as it almost certainly will, will you be condemning the EU for throwing its weight around? Will you be taking to the streets to protest future european corporate giants' behavior overseas? You might personally do this, but I think you will be part of a very small crowd.

Every day in the US, there are citizens trying to oppose unfair trade practices overseas by domestic corporations. Most citizens? No. Most citizens are just trying to get through the work week, feed their families, and pay off their bills. But according to you they are all "troublemakers." It makes it much easier to contemplate fucking them over when you lump them all together that way, isn't it?

Well, here is a little reality check for you. People are the same no matter where you go. We need to stop buying into this whole "region pitted against region" concept we inherited from our anceastors. The only purpose it serves is to allow those in power get more more power.

The only hope for _real_ free trade in the world, would have been a larger economic Union made up of the free democratic nations, everywhere.

But, then people like you would not feel a growing hatred for "outsiders," and a growing sense of power and unity in your specific geographical region. That was the real purpose, afterall.