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Google Makes Case to Join Microsoft Antitrust Case

Posted by Zonk on from the friend-of-the-court-indeed dept.

Rob writes "Computer Business Review magazine is reporting that Google has filed papers with the US district judge overseeing Microsoft's compliance with its 2002 antitrust settlement, outlining why it believes it has a special interest in helping to ensure Microsoft remains in compliance. The judge has declined Google's assistance. From the article: 'Google had complained that the search engine built into Vista constituted "middleware" under the terms of the antitrust settlement and that Microsoft was therefore extending its desktop monopoly into a new market. While Microsoft insisted Google's complaint is "without merit" it did agree in late June to make a number of changes to its Vista search engine with Windows Vista Service Pack 1 to give rival desktop search software, including Google Desktop, a more level playing field.'"

3 of 177 comments (clear)

  1. And how is OSX Spotlight any different? by Eyah....TIMMY · · Score: 4, Informative

    Oh yeah, Spotlight just from a small company out in Cupertino. Nothing to worry about.
    Don't get me wrong, TFA is quoting the antitrust case and I think MSFT should open their search engine but I think we should not forget they're not the only ones out there to embed "functionality" in their OS. You can disable Spotlight and install Google search if you want but that's no different from Windows.

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    1. Re:And how is OSX Spotlight any different? by MontyApollo · · Score: 3, Informative

      I never heard that part before, but it is possible he just made a bad deal and/or had poor lawyers advising.

      I was in a similar boat once. Years ago (when I was like 20 or 21) I created some shareware, and this software company contacted me and wanted to sell it. I signed an exclusive contract in return for royalties. They suggested I would make around $30K based on how well their other products sold. Once I signed, I never heard from them again. I think their only purpose was just to remove a potential competitor from the marketplace.

      In Hollywood, they say never sign a deal for a percentage of the profits because the bookkeepers always make sure there is never a profit.

      This type of behavior may be pretty common in the business world, and I suppose you have to be sure and protect yourself.

  2. Spotlight Plug Ins by weston · · Score: 4, Informative

    Spotlight's not really the same thing, I don't think, but to the extent that it's similar, it's got some fairly good hooks for third-party developers and it's pretty customizable:

    http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/spotlight/
    http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/spotlight/go ogleimporter.html

    Does Microsoft offer something similar?

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