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EU Fines Microsoft $1.3 Billion

Posted by kdawson on from the cost-of-doing-bidness dept.

jd writes "The EU has slammed Microsoft with a fine of €899 million ($1.337 billion at current exchange rates) for perpetuating violations of the 2004 antitrust ruling.The fine is the sum of daily fines running from June 21, 2006 to October 21, 2007. It is the first company ever to be fined for non-compliance. The amazing thing is that the EU now expects Microsoft to comply and 'close a dark chapter' in their history. The EU has opened new investigations into Microsoft's practices and gave a lukewarm response to the company's turning over yet another new leaf last week."

14 of 699 comments (clear)

  1. Well... by cosmotron · · Score: 5, Funny

    That's 1.337.

    --
    Ryan - http://www.thecosmotron.com/
    1. Re:Well... by nacturation · · Score: 4, Funny

      Euro an ECU are not the same thing, but when the second replaced the first one Sorry for nitpicking with the nitpick, but it's the "first" (the Euro) that replaced "the second" one (ECU). And apologies for nitpicking over a nit with the nitpicker's nitpicker, but temporally speaking the second replaced the first.
      --
      Want to improve your Karma? Instead of "Post Anonymously", try the "Post Humously" option.
  2. Apparently linux is the new kid on the block by wellingtonsteve · · Score: 5, Funny

    From a BBC News article on this: (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6998490.stm) "Meanwhile, in the world of servers the fight is still on, with a new kid on the block - the open-source Linux operating system - making as strong gains in the market as Microsoft." (bold mine) I mean really.. new kid on the block? who is writing these?

    1. Re:Apparently linux is the new kid on the block by MonoSynth · · Score: 5, Funny

      Microsoft is 33, Linux is barely 17.

      hmm, will it be Illegal for MS to screw Linux?

  3. Re:And what if not? by z80kid · · Score: 5, Funny
    People would think they're getting A Microsoft Product but actually its someone else who made it. Then Microsoft's reputation would be tarnished if the copy is bad.

    You were shooting for +5 funny, right?

  4. 1.337 billion! by Subm · · Score: 4, Funny

    1.337 billion just can't be a coincidence.

    It's clear evidence the EU lawyers are leet and MS is suxxxorz who got pwned. I can see the court transcript:

    EU Lawyers: We get signal
    MS Lawyers: What!
    EU Lawyers: Main screen turn on
    MS Lawyers: It's you!!
    EU Lawyers: How are you gentlemen!!
    EU Lawyers: All your base are belong to us!!
    MS Lawyers: ...
    EU Lawyers: 1.337 billion Profit!

    Now that's great justice!

  5. I just hope you work for Microsoft by viraltus · · Score: 4, Funny

    please please pleeeeeaase... take windows away from those bad europeans! give them a lesson! pleeeeeease.

    --
    Dear /. CENSORS that set people's Karma to Neutral when you disagree with them: FUCK YOU!!
  6. That's 984 Billion in American rupees by Leemeng · · Score: 5, Funny

    MS would probably want to pay up quick, before the dollar devalues even further...

  7. Re:And what if not? by boaworm · · Score: 4, Funny

    Then Microsoft's reputation would be tarnished if the copy is bad. Are you insinuating that there is actually a copy of a Microsoft product that isn't bad?
    --
    Probable impossibilities are to be preferred to improbable possibilities.
    Aristotele
  8. Re:1.3 billion by Skrynesaver · · Score: 5, Funny

    I believe there was a plan at one point to split them in three (Legal, Marketing and Sales AFAIR). But the new regime changed the DoJ's mind.

    --
    "Linux is for noobs"-The new MS fud strategy
  9. Re:1.3 billion by kisak · · Score: 5, Funny

    The only punishments that would hurt Microsoft have been illegal since the Dark Ages.

    You mean waterboarding?

    --

    --- guns don't kill people, people with guns kill people ---

  10. Tab by Kamineko · · Score: 3, Funny

    Microsoft's response: "Just put it on our tab!"

  11. Microsoft Reduces its Offer for Yahoo! by Jeremiah+Cornelius · · Score: 4, Funny

    Microsoft Reduces its Offer for Yahoo! by USD 1.3 Billion - now extending a hostile offer for only 43.3 billion dollars.

    Problem? Solved.

    --
    "Flyin' in just a sweet place,
    Never been known to fail..."
  12. Re:True by ch-chuck · · Score: 5, Funny

    We need some equivalent of "wheel clamping" for Microsoft.

    How about bolting the chairs to the floor?

    --
    try { do() || do_not(); } catch (JediException err) { yoda(err); }