From: Luby, Thomas To:Microsoft ATR Date: 12/10/01 1:22pm Subject: Microsoft Settlement
With all due respect to the DOJ Anti-trust department, this case should have never been pursued in the first place. I thought that anti-trust legislation was to protect the consumer, not to appease competitors that are losing in the marketplace. Has Microsoft always been a perfect angel? I don't think so. Microsoft should face no penalties that involve changes to their product or by "releasing" information about their source code. The future of computing is not a bunch of different systems that aren't compatible but a global network of computers seamlessly exchanging information. Microsoft is working on this goal.
"Toshiba is not alone in wanting to exit the **commodity** DRAM market. Earlier this year NEC Corp. said it would end DRAM production by 2004 and transfer all operations to Elpida Memory Inc., a joint venture formed with Hitachi Ltd. to insulate the two companies from the cyclical swings of the market."
//emphasis mine
Well, there you have it; a perfect example of classical economics. Whenever you have a particular market where profits are above normal (excess earnings after you pay your overhead), competitors will enter the market place. As more competitors make more product, the supply of the product increases (shifts the supply curve right, for all you Econ buffs) and pushes prices down. That's all and dandy but it doesn't last forever. Because prices are pushed down (and profits back to normal or below), competitors/entrepreneurs/Toshiba will exit. It makes sense. Why stick around?
Be careful folks. As this model suggests, as supply decreases, the price will rise. Exiting an industry preludes price increase; it's inevitable.
Since when can you copyright & trademark a specific shade? I believe, unless you prove otherwise, that the specific process that is used to create the paint is protected. NOONE, no matter how rich or power (knock on wood), can keep someone from reproducing a color. Taste, smell, and cisual stimulants can't be copyrighted/patented, period. Ever notices that there are nurmerous Coke/Pepse clones? Or frangrance clones? As well as paint clones? Ever see a patent on green? like green, dark green? Foolish.
Slashdot Mirror
From: Luby, Thomas
To:Microsoft ATR
Date: 12/10/01 1:22pm
Subject: Microsoft Settlement
With all due respect to the DOJ Anti-trust department, this case should
have never been pursued in the first place. I thought that anti-trust
legislation was to protect the consumer, not to appease competitors that
are losing in the marketplace. Has Microsoft always been a perfect
angel? I don't think so. Microsoft should face no penalties that
involve changes to their product or by "releasing" information about
their source code. The future of computing is not a bunch of different
systems that aren't compatible but a global network of computers
seamlessly exchanging information. Microsoft is working on this goal.
Sincerely,
Thomas F. Luby
"Toshiba is not alone in wanting to exit the **commodity** DRAM market. Earlier this year NEC Corp. said it would end DRAM production by 2004 and transfer all operations to Elpida Memory Inc., a joint venture formed with Hitachi Ltd. to insulate the two companies from the cyclical swings of the market."
//emphasis mine
Well, there you have it; a perfect example of classical economics. Whenever you have a particular market where profits are above normal (excess earnings after you pay your overhead), competitors will enter the market place. As more competitors make more product, the supply of the product increases (shifts the supply curve right, for all you Econ buffs) and pushes prices down. That's all and dandy but it doesn't last forever. Because prices are pushed down (and profits back to normal or below), competitors/entrepreneurs/Toshiba will exit. It makes sense. Why stick around?
Be careful folks. As this model suggests, as supply decreases, the price will rise. Exiting an industry preludes price increase; it's inevitable.
Since when can you copyright & trademark a specific shade? I believe, unless you prove otherwise, that the specific process that is used to create the paint is protected. NOONE, no matter how rich or power (knock on wood), can keep someone from reproducing a color. Taste, smell, and cisual stimulants can't be copyrighted/patented, period. Ever notices that there are nurmerous Coke/Pepse clones? Or frangrance clones? As well as paint clones? Ever see a patent on green? like green, dark green? Foolish.