Microsoft Set To Be Fined $2.4M a Day

Nexum writes "The BBC is reporting on a European Union threat to fine Microsoft up to $2.4m a day for their non-compliance with the European Commission's demand that Windows be opened up. Back in March 2004 Microsoft was ordered to open up its Windows operating system by way of making documentation available that would assist work on interoperability with other systems, specifically: 'non-Microsoft work group servers [should be able to] achieve full interoperability with Windows PCs and servers'. According to the article, Brussels has found MS to have not complied with the ruling, and, sounding somewhat exasperated, EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes has given MS a 5 week deadline before the $2.4m/a day fines begin."

Comments

oh great

[kevin.fowler]

Is this another Henry VIII? Are they trying fo fund the OS of England?

End of proprietary code?

[Entropy]

So does this mean - as a precedent - that the model of proprietary code is "over" ?

I'm not at all comfortable with that decision being handled by "extra market forces" - aka government. AKA, men with guns.

If the market wants MS to open up, the market should decide it. In the long term, I believe this is exactly what will happen - MS will have to adapt and compete or die off. Part of this adaptation will be better interoperability; but I would doubt that the proprietary model would end altogether.

As another take on this, many here claim that open source code is the equal to freedom of speech. And I agree with that. But then, what does that say when you advocate forceable openness of code? Does that indicate the reverse of the analogy: no private speech?

In summation, as bad as MS is, the government is worse.

Re:this is stupid

[Hao Wu]

Europe is doing what any turd-world dictator does regularly - demand large kickbacks in return for "protection" of the business racket they wish to run within that country.