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EU/Microsoft Antitrust Case Delves Into Tech
oscartheduck writes "ZDNet is reporting on the Microsoft/EU case, and things aren't going too well for the software giant. The Commission is delving deeply into the technical issues surrounding the case. In addition to 'a record $617 million' that may well be leveled against the American monopolist, Microsoft is also standing accused of knowingly going forward with marketing practices 'that had already been judged illegal by U.S. courts when it was used on Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser.'" More from the article: " The founder of the Samba team of developers, which took years to create print and file server software that works with Windows, said his team is held back and playing catch-up. 'The tiny device I have here in the palm of my hand is the sort of product that could emerge if the information required by the Commission were available,' Andrew Tridgell said, holding a paperback-size storage server that he said could be turned into a work group server. Once it gives over the information, 'Microsoft no longer has a stranglehold over the world's networks,' he said. "
I'm not usually on Microsoft's side but screw the EU on this one. This is a simple case of extortion. I mean there is no downside to fine a US company. They are fining MSFT just because they can and its somewhat fashionable to do so.
Oh come on. Companies with $40B in cash reserves do not get 'kicked in the nuts' by some upstart commission. "Monopoly" is a word that's thrown around a lot, and often incorrectly.
It's time to finish their sleezeball business practises once and for all.
Do you know any examples, or are you just regurgitating Slashdot FUD?
Windows has become such a huge part of European infratructure that we can no longer rely on a shady corporation.
And if that's true, then Microsoft has nothing to worry about in the European market.
Personally, I think the EU just likes padding their budget with fines levied against a rich foreign company.
"What do you despise? By this are you truly known." --Princess Irulan, Manual of Muad'Dib
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Windows has become such a huge part of European infratructure that we can no longer rely on a shady corporation.
The message is clear - whenever a US componey creates something that is so sucessful Europe needs it they will attempt to take it from you by legal force.
--> Fight tyranny and repression.... read
When I think of something like this, for some reason it seems like you can relate this a lot to Nintendo. For the longest time, they had a huge market share of the portable gaming industry. Hell, they still have a very good chunk. Who is forcing them to give Sony the ability to run DS games on the PSP? Where was Sega sueing to be able to run GameBoy games on the Game Gear? It's not Nintendo's fault that people want to use their technology. Sony doesn't have to have their PS2 work with the Xbox360 or GameCube. NES didn't have to work with Genesis. Should Blu-Ray be able to work in HD-DVD players? Should sony be sued for the information needed to make a Blu-Ray AND HD-DVD player in one? You think they'll ever give anyone the rights to be able to do that? Come on. Suck it up SMB.
OHHHH!!! The holier than thou disdain! It buuuuuuurns.
What's it like to be good at making other people feel bad, but nothing else? You must be very unhappy.