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Microsoft Fails to Comply With EU Requirements

Posted by Zonk on from the close-but-no-cigar dept.

sebFlyte writes "ZDNet is reporting the news that the EU has rejected Microsoft's attempt to wriggle out of it's legal obligation to open up Windows protocols. Microsoft was attempting to bypass the regulation by offering a license totally incompatible with the GPL and which has an absurdly high fee attached. If Microsoft don't come up with a solution that the EU finds acceptable, then they can be fined $5m a day. They've also got some commentary on why Microsoft's behaviour cannot be allowed to stand." The BBC has commentary as well.

5 of 609 comments (clear)

  1. GPL is not the center of all Licenses by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Does everything have to comply to the GPL ? I really don't understand it and don't see the point either. GPL is just one license, only because someone feels it's not GPL like doesn't make it less valid.

    1. Re:GPL is not the center of all Licenses by Anita+Coney · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      The only real competition to Windows OS dominance is Linux. Thus, it makes no sense for the EU to demand that Microsoft open its OS to everyone BUT Linux.

      (I'm sorry Apple users. OSX is great and SHOULD be used by the entire world, but as long as Apple ties its awesome OS to over-priced hardware, it will always be an incredible niche player. And yeah, I know the Mini "only" costs $500, but considering it needs a monitor, larger hard drive, more memory, mouse and keyboard, before you even buy it, means that even the MINI is over-priced.)

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      If someone says he and his monkey have nothing to hide, they almost certainly do.
  2. Re:$1.8 billion a year is a lot of dough by jxs2151 · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    You see nothing wrong with using the tyrannical force of the state to take money from one party to give to another? Regardless of how you feel about Microsoft you must feel that there is something inherently wrong about that.

  3. Re:holy crap! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    As an american, I am no longer enjoying these attacks on Microsoft from other countries. It almost seems like an attack on US. You all have to understand that I am not a microsoft sympathizer, I am one of the biggest anti-windows guys. Being using BSD/Linux since 94. Nevertheless, if Microsoft is going to be dealth with heavily, it should be by US, I don't want $5million a year going to Europe. We have enough money flowing out of this nation already. :( .segmond

  4. Re:Pot calling Kettle Black by Linker3000 · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    The French have done it for so long in the EU (ie: 'worked around' things or just ignored the directives) that seeing M$ trying to do it is not exactly bucking an established (French) trend.

    In fact, I can see a good way around this for M$ and that is to have Microsoft's French company assigned ownership of any products or technologies that are the subject of this action and then have the company bleat loudly about how the EU is punishing a French company - there will be immediate national strikes, rioting on the streets and farmers blocking the ports and road tunnels until the EU backs down! Vivre la France!!

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    AT&ROFLMAO