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Lobbying Could Cause Legal Trouble for Microsoft

Posted by Zonk on from the keep-it-above-board-maybe dept.

Rob Isn't Weird writes "In the wake of the exposure of Microsoft's attempt to buy Sweden's vote on OOXML and Sweden's annulment of that vote due to irregularities, IBM's Rob Weir points out that the fiasco could cause anti-trust worries for Microsoft. He quotes ALLIED TUBE & CONDUIT CORP. v. INDIAN HEAD, INC., 486 U.S. 492 (1988), which says 'What petitioner may not do (without exposing itself to possible antitrust liability for direct injuries) is bias the process by, as in this case, stacking the private standard-setting body with decision makers sharing their economic interest in restraining competition.'"

6 of 138 comments (clear)

  1. Service please? by Pojut · · Score: 3, Funny

    Anyone able to translate this into normal-speak?

    Oh, and because it's required...Fist Psot, or whatever the first post trolls are saying nowadays...

    --
    Living With a Nerd
  2. How to ruin Microsoft from the inside... by KillerCow · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...in three easy steps...

    1) Get hired at Microsoft
    2) Use your MS email address to offer bribes to public officials without management knowledge
    3) Enjoy anti-trust actions

    For anything to stick, they would have to show that there was some management involvement. A corporation is not one single mind.

  3. Re:Does US law apply here? by josteos · · Score: 1, Funny

    If Sweden had oil then maybe Bush would try to liberate its citizens and *FINALLY* bring democracy to those poor, oppressed people. Along with US laws. And Haliburton & Blackwater Security, of course.

    --
    Save the Music; Save the World at http://www.TuneTriever.com (Our latest Android game)
  4. Re:Does US law apply here? by josteos · · Score: 2, Funny

    See... if Bush invades Sweden he'd bring more Freedom. Like, the Freedom to have more guns. So you could defend yourself against the Enemies of Freedom. Enemies like Bush. Its just a vicious circle.

    Now if we colonized Sweden we'd dramatically increase our odds of getting another medal in Olympic hockey. Hmmmm.... On the plus side, I understand Yankee taxes are lower than Swedish taxes. The downside is you'd get Michel Moore coming over and making movies all the time.

    --
    Save the Music; Save the World at http://www.TuneTriever.com (Our latest Android game)
  5. Operative words: restraining competition by 517714 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Since this is an open standard, how could it possibly restrain competition? Clearly you do not understand how magnimus Microsoft is being in sharing this wonderful document with all of us.

    --
    The US government have made it clear that we have no inalienable rights; any we do not defend vigorously will be taken.
  6. Re:Arrogance by ianare · · Score: 2, Funny

    It's good to be the king :-)