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Microsoft, Google Agree To Stop Complaining To Regulators About Each Other (recode.net)
An anonymous reader shares an article on Recode: Microsoft and Google say they have recently reached an agreement under which they will drop pending regulatory complaints against one another across the globe. The two have also agreed that they will try to work among themselves to settle any future issues before running to regulators. "Microsoft has agreed to withdraw its regulatory complaints against Google, reflecting our changing legal priorities," a Microsoft representative said in a statement to Re/code. âoeWe will continue to focus on competing vigorously for business and for customers." Google, meanwhile, offered up a similar statement, affirming that it too will withdraw any regulatory complaints it has made. âoeOur companies compete vigorously, but we want to do so on the merits of our products, not in legal proceedings."Also from the report, "The timing is interesting, coming just as European regulators charge that Google is abusing its position in the Android market. However, both sides say the deal was in the works for some time."
"Cartel"? Is that the word for it?
I never thought I would see this sort of thing in my lifetime.
Using your own strength and position to get what you want is healthy, respectable competition. Running to regulators is like a couple of little kids fighting in the back seat and is admitting you don't have what it takes to play on the market. Especially at the size of these two companies.
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Does this sound like collusion to anyone else?
Microsoft has agreed to withdraw its regulatory complaints against Google, reflecting our changing legal priorities
Seems like they finally realised who the real enemy is in this: the consumer.
Seriously though, if you don't want any trouble with regulatory complaints, maybe try not to break any regulations.
Less work, less billable hours.
> though the company [Microsoft] continues to seek patent royalties from hardware makers that use Android and Linux in their products
They're still trying to shake down companies that use Linux? Who?
. . . but when are they going to begin fully supporting the only open format for office documents (Open Document Format) and drop support for horrible closed proprietary monstrosities like Microsoft XML?
Gangsters don't call the cops on each other.
test
Microsoft and Google want to complain! Look at these shoes. I've only had them three weeks and the heels are worn right through. If you complain nothing happens, you might as well not bother. Oh my back hurts, it's not a very fine day and I'm sick and tired of this office.
When you poke a regulator even for a rational and justified reason you almost always get unintended consequences in the form of irrational or politically motivated responses, over-reactions, reflected attention, and the main tools government has, is banning and fines. It is a nasty business to hang your hat on any government, but particularly on increasingly socialist leaning governments.
Tech companies are exceedingly market based organisations and asking for the attention of anti-market organisations like governments, regulators and political cartels like EU is simply unwise.
You would think if the state wants to define a monopoly or abuse thereof that they would also be the ones to determine when it's time to step in.
They both finally wised up and realized they can cut a huge operating expense by dropping any lawsuits against each other. I could imagine they'll save tremendously in legal expenses.
How are the Office Open XML (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx) formats still "closed proprietary monstrosities"? Are there still holes in the documentation published by Ecma and ISO? Or is Microsoft claiming that third-party implementations infringe its copyrights, patents, or trademarks?
By solving the issues internally regulators don't get to see the details and thus they fail to create or impose more regulations against the companies. My friends father is part of a regulatory committee in his industry and the majority of new regulations come from disputes.
The Disable Advertising checkbox does not work.
Mob doesn't use police?
Police corruption is a fundamental criminal mob activity. It is their version of regulatory capture.
Microsoft: Mom, Google just poked me!
Google: Did Not!
Microsoft: Did too!
Mom: Google, please stop touching Microsoft.
(Microsoft sticks its tongue out at Google. Then, a minute later puts its hand down on the seat and starts slowly moving it towards Google)
Google: MO-ommm, Microsoft has its hand on my seat!
Microsoft: MO-ommm, Microsoft has its hand on my seat!
Google: Stop repeating everything I say!
Microsoft: Stop repeating everything I say!
Google: Microsoft is an idiot!
Microsoft: Microsoft is an... (then punches Google)
Google: MOM! MICROSOFT HIT ME!
Microsoft: GOOGLE STARTED IT!
Mom: Both of you, knock it off! You two need to get along - we've got a long trip ahead.
Dad: YOU TWO KNOCK IT OFF RIGHT NOW OR I AM TURNING THIS CAR AROUND!
(Google sticks its tongue out at Microsoft)
#DeleteChrome
Another example of how the executive/stockholder class has become so detached from the people who make them rich, the people don't even come to mind as part of their "issue".
Regulators don't exist for the purpose of doing what Google wants over what Microsoft wants, or vice-versa.
Regulators exist for the benefit of the -public-, and precisely like the "anti-poaching" agreements, the "bosses" agreeing to collude for their collective benefit at the expense of the workers, is to no one else's benefit. Yet they laud it as some kind of general "success". The degree of presumptuousness and self-entitlement here is astonishing. The fact they'd probably have difficulty even understanding what the objection here is, even more so.
There are millions of users out there who will continue to complain about Microsoft and Google's immoral and legally questionable behaviour.
If they don't have full disclosure of every dispute and every resolution, they will be in violation of the law. If they do disclose they might get some wiggle room.
sed -e 's/Chuck Norris/Rajnikant/g' joke > fact
Indian guy who runs Google and Indian guy who run Microsoft, each loaded with Indian workers decide to play nice
for India?
It's not just for La Cosa Nostra.
Gather round children, it's time old uncle Sherman played his favourite tune called Collusion.
Now when the young little cats get to hissin' n' scratching
You can bet all them rats are a hidin' and a quakin'
All the kittens that compete get a nice little treat
And the market is nice and free.
Buuuuuuuuuuut,
When the cats dun grow fat... and they can't scratch their back
And they get an old friend to help
Well we call that a scam what a horrible sham
And ol' sherman dun gets out his belt
Cause them rats get to play all the night and all day
And they dun shit on all of our pay.
With a whip and whap I take care o' all that
And them cats get to lose a few pounds.
Now children, you might remember when your kitten was a darling little cute thing and it was full of spit and fire trying to make the world a better place. But times change and kittens grow into cats. And cats get fat with power and wealth. And then it's time to take them out back teach them some proper manners.
Personally, I thought it would take longer. I gave Google until the time that the founders stepped down. In retrospect, it was awfully nice of them to have a name-change to indicate the moment when they decided to grow goatees and give into the bean counters and business suits.
One US company has, as its unoffical motto "The competition is [our] friend and the customer [our[ enemy"
Your ad here. Ask me how!
Dot Indian, or feather Indian?
Remember, this is not yet a week since Microsoft & Google announced a "no complaint" to regulators agreement:
https://tech.slashdot.org/story/16/04/22/1421201/microsoft-google-agree-to-stop-complaining-to-regulators-about-each-other
In classic Microsoft fashion, they forge an agreement with someone and then immediately screw them over in the most mean-spirited, legalistic way possible. Google really should have known better on this one.
We know where leadership by an anti-intellectual "strongman" who scapegoats minorities and likes boisterous rallies goes