Slashdot Mirror
Microsoft and EU Talks End
Paul Longford writes "Microsoft talks with the EC have collapsed. The competition commisioner Mario Monti just made this statement in which he said: 'I'd just like to inform you that a settlement on the Microsoft case has not been possible. I therefore intend to propose to my colleagues in the Commission next Wednesday to adopt a decision, which has already received the unanimous backing of Member States.' This is bad news for Microsoft - it looking at a considerable fine and possibly being forced to open up Windows. It looks like it will be a harsh decision too. Monti says: 'In the end, I had to decide what was best for competition and consumers in Europe. I believe they will be better served with a decision that creates a strong precedent.'"
Sounds like the EU is going to show some spine and actually ENFORCE their antitrust laws. What a concept.
Send lawyers, guns, and money. Dad, get me out of this.
MS contributes a lot of money to both US political parties.. Europe may need "liberating" soon..
even MS would presumably rather not pay a billion-dollar fine. I know their cash reserves are up in the 40 billion dollar range
Quick! Short Microsoft!
This sound investment advice bought to you by slashdot.
Norman Cook's Ode to Sl
There's WMP in Windows? Why hasn't Bush sent in the troops?
Unknown host pong.
Sure they have a plan! First they'll send troops across the border wearing fake uniforms, then .. oh wait, wrong plan.
One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
And sadly, that will make slashdot redundant.
Stop support of European languages? Where do you think English comes from, eh?? Doh!!
Yep. Definitely.
Weapons of mass Procrastination
Known to some as MineSweeper and Solitaire
Tiggs
"120 chars should be enough for everyone..."
Yeah! I was totally unaware of Microsoft's anti-competitive monopolistic behavior until this ruling. All my friends were shocked as well.
Let's hope it will have a little more impact on Microsoft's business practices than the last judgment
"There are already a million monkeys on a million typewriters, and Usenet is NOTHING like Shakespeare." - Blair Houghton
If revenue starts drying up, then perhaps they will be forced to stop such excesses as funding SCO.
Steve Balmer rushed over in a last-ditch attempt to try and come to a deal
That is probably what made things collapse. I can see the EU report now...
"After negotiations broke down between us and Microsoft, the current CEO, Steve Ballmer, decided to get personally involved. However, he simply arrived, and jumped up and down chanting like a prick".
It's no surprise that the talks ended. Here's a rough transcript of the proceedings that I was able to smuggle out of Brussels:
Monty: Microsoft, we're going to levy heavy penalties for your past behavior.
MS: Now, wait here: let's compromise.
Monty: Okay, let's here it.
MS: How about you don't levy heavy penalties for our past behavior.
Monty: [silence]
MS: Well?
Monty: Heavier fines.
- The Amazina Llama
ONLY anti-monopoly journal in America.
:)
Doesn't that make them a monopoly on anti-monopoly journals?
Fellowship 9/11
And that is different how?
warning: This post is likely to contain gobs of dripping sarcasm. Consume at your own risk.