Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Open Source Firm Files Microsoft Complaint

Posted by Hemos on from the talking-with-the-man dept.

Rob writes "Computer Business Review is reporting that Australian Linux and open source consultancy Cybersource Pty has filed a complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission calling on it to force PC vendors to offer hardware without Microsoft Corp's Windows operating system. The company has estimated that the cost to Australian consumers of Microsoft's monopoly position is at least AUS 200m ($151m) a year, although that calculation is based on an assumption that Windows and Office account for 50% of the company's AUS 1bn ($759m) annual Australian revenue, and that its 80% profit margin for those products should be more like 10%."

5 of 26 comments (clear)

  1. Price ? by hayalci · · Score: 2, Insightful

    When they offer; they make the windowsless hardware more expensive. That issue should also be adressed.

    --
    hayalci
  2. Libertys by FidelCatsro · · Score: 3, Insightful

    As much as i dislike the practice it should not up to the government to decide what companies sell.
    That is the decision of company.
    I find it as silly as forcing restaurants to provide a vegetarian alternative (I am a vegetarian btw). If these companies can see profit in doing it they will , or they don't they will lose business , Simple as that.

    What the government should focus on however is making sure that Microsoft are not using exclusivity deals that would harm the company if they did sell computers without MS windows .
    This is key in a free market , making sure its fair.
    make sure large companies are not abusing their power, do Not in forcing smaller companies to stock what is deemed acceptable and to hell with their profits .

    I do not want to buy a system with MS windows and I will choose a vendor who sells systems without it , I don't want to force a vendor into my way of thinking though .

    --
    The only things certain in war are Propaganda and Death. You can never be sure which is which though
    1. Re:Libertys by FidelCatsro · · Score: 2, Insightful
      it has called on the ACCC to require tier one and tier two PC vendors in Australia to offer desktop and laptop products without a pre-installed operating system, arguing that it will level they playing field for Microsoft's competitors and increase consumer choice.
      This is what i have a problem with , what they should be doing is calling on the ACCC to force Microsoft to stop using exclusivity deals and the like.This is a clear case of antitrust .
      If companies wish to not sell systems without OSs then that is their right , forcing them to is not something i can support.
      however i can easily support slapping MS with an Anti-trust suit and having them face stiff penalties if the practice continues.
      I would love to see all the vendors offer alternatives such as linux or no OS , I just want to see it happen another way

      --
      The only things certain in war are Propaganda and Death. You can never be sure which is which though
    2. Re:Libertys by Linus+Torvaalds · · Score: 2, Interesting

      If these companies can see profit in doing it they will , or they don't they will lose business

      The point at which it is appropriate for a government to step in is when all the companies can happily tell the unhappy people to go fuck themselves because there's no alternative.

      Try buying a laptop without paying Microsoft. How will the companies "lose business" when going to a competitor doesn't solve the problem? There's no alternative because the laptop market is so dominated by the big firms that niche markets like Linux laptops aren't worthwhile to big firms, and small firms can't cater to that niche because the big firms get volume discount that makes it cheaper to buy from the big firm and throw away Windows even though you paid for it.

      Essentially, the market has fallen into a situation where any alternative to the mainstream is excluded from competing, and this is when government intervention is necessary.

    3. Re:Libertys by FidelCatsro · · Score: 2, Interesting

      You slightly missed my point.
      My point is that i do not think these vendors should be the target of the lawsuit , Microsoft should be the target for using aggressive tactics to ensure exclusivity . If you stop microsoft from doing this then the vendors of the PC has a choice to offer the system with or without the OS .

      Right now they are forced by a large gorilla to have all their products come with their OS , if we enact legislation like this they are forced to offer a system with or without it.
      If we stop MS using these tactics they then have a choice .

      And choice is one of the main things I admire about OSS

      --
      The only things certain in war are Propaganda and Death. You can never be sure which is which though