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.'"

Comments

Spank their butt.

[Stumbles]

Good for the EU. Microsoft deserves what the get.

Being successful is evil, I guess

[kabdib]

So now any whiner with an inferior product who has "lost market share" to MS can complain to the EU?

I use Windows daily. I use an editor that I bought from a small company, diffing programs that I also bought elsewhere, a better (for me) email client, and so on. I don't hear those companies complaining about Notepad or WinDiff, they went out and did a better job than the built-in or free stuff from MS.

If you can't build a better product, maybe you shouldn't be in the damned business.