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EU Trade Commissioner Enjoyed MS Hospitality

Posted by Zonk on from the questionable-company dept.

Brian Blessed writes "Today's edition of The Times contains a report that Peter Mandelson, the EU (European Union) Trade Commissioner, spent New Year's Eve as a guest of Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft, in the Carribean on Mr Allen's luxury yacht. The story mentions the conflict of interest that this causes because of the protracted legal battle between Microsoft and the European Commission. Perhaps the Trade Commissioner has also been in a position to influence the progress of European Software Patent legislation?"

7 of 196 comments (clear)

  1. Perception vs reality. by winkydink · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Although Mr Allen is no longer directly involved in the management of Microsoft, he remains its second biggest shareholder. There is no suggestion that Mr Mandelson has broken the Commission's code of conduct.

    As a rule, rihc and powerful people tend to hang out with other rich and powerful people. I suspect this is more about giving the appearance of impropriety rather than any impropriety itself. Political opponents will try to make hay from this.

    --

    "I'd rather be a lightning rod than a seismometer." -Ken Kesey

    1. Re:Perception vs reality. by Zebadias · · Score: 5, Insightful

      the appearance of impropriety Mr Mandelson's record is not exactly stirling. He has been sacked from the goverment 2 times!

    2. Re:Perception vs reality. by nganju · · Score: 4, Insightful


      Even if Paul Allen is not involved in the management of Microsoft, as a large shareholder, he still gains a lot if Mr. Mandelson decides to go easy on Microsoft.

      I don't see how Allen's lack of direct involvement in MS management makes this a non-conflict of interest. Allen still has every motive to make nice with Mandelson.

      --
      There are 2 kinds of people in this world. Those that can keep their train of thought,
  2. Eruope, our corporations thank EU.... by isotope23 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Ahhh the benefits of centralizing power. Now Microsoft only has to buy off a few flunkies in the EU as opposed to each former European country. Much better for business.

    --
    Service guarantees Citizenship! Questions Guarantee GITMO.... Amerika Uber Alles!
    1. Re:Eruope, our corporations thank EU.... by isotope23 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Sheeple are Sheeple regardless of which side of the Ocean you are on. Eventually IMO we will have one world government.

      I find it both sad and amazing that groups like the greens (which I believe have SOME valid points) rail about the corruption and power of corporations, yet their solution is to give more power to government. If you start with the premise that people are corruptable and power corrupts, how can you then endorse as a solution a greater concentration of power?

      The end result is those with power will make deals between themselves to keep the power they have or to gain more.

      --
      Service guarantees Citizenship! Questions Guarantee GITMO.... Amerika Uber Alles!
  3. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  4. Let me be the first to say by h.+simpson · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This tastes like tinfoil to me. Paul Allen may be the second largest shareholder at Microsoft, but he's long since moved on from the Redmond giant.

    I don't think it's a great idea for people like this to be enjoying the luxuries of other rich influential people at all, but I doubt this is a Microsoft specific thing.

    This looks more improper than it truly is.