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Microsoft Chided Over Exclusive Music Idea

Posted by samzenpus on from the musical-monopoly dept.

grumpyman writes "The federal judge overseeing Microsoft Corp.'s business practices scolded the company Wednesday over a proposal to force manufacturers to tether iPod-like devices to Microsoft's own music player software. Microsoft blamed the proposal on a newly hired, "lower-level business person" who did not understand the company's obligations under the antitrust settlement."

4 of 331 comments (clear)

  1. Turnabout is FairPlay? by CodeBuster · · Score: 0, Troll

    Isn't this precisely what Apple is doing with iPod + iTunes? If Apple can open an online music store and restrict competing hardware and software products then why can Microsoft not compete in exactly the same way? What about the tethering of music purchased on iTunes to the computer which purchased the music and the FairPlay system? It seems to me that Microsoft cannot be faulted for taking a few pages from Apple's playbook in this case.

  2. Re:Whisky Tango Foxtrot by badmammajamma · · Score: 1, Troll

    Good thing you went anonymous with that post, otherwise you would have been modded down for dissing Apple (in spite of the fact it's true).

    I don't care if I get modded down, so feel free.

    --
    Any man who afflicts the human race with ideas must be prepared to see them misunderstood. -- H. L. Mencken
  3. Re:In defense of MS by Moofie · · Score: 0, Troll

    uh huh. Trying to get hired on permanently, are you?

    --
    Why yes, I AM a rocket scientist!
  4. Wow, how ridiculous... by TheNetAvenger · · Score: 1, Troll

    Wow, how ridiculous...

    We all know only Apple can do things like this, and get praise for doing it at the same time...

    iTunes anyone?