From the FT: 'Under European Union competition rules companies that fail to comply with a Commission ruling can be fined up to 5 per cent of their daily worldwide turnover.
In Microsoft's case this would be about $5.5m-a-day.'
I would imagine that there would be stiffer penalties (i.e., non-financial aimed at curtailing MSFT's ability to trade in the EU) available if MSFT continued to defy the commission. If there were not this would be a de facto admission that companies can break the law in the EU with impunity if they are rich enough. I very much doubt the commission would tolerate that state of affairs.
It's not a problem these days. There's a satellite which can communicate with the shuttle through a hole in the ion cloud (which was the cause of blackouts).
Unfortunately for you, the reality is that the EU is the largest, richest single market in the world, and no serious global business can afford to ignore it.
I would suggest Microsoft could learn a thing or two from the proposed GE-Honeywell merger, which the EC successfully torpedoed due to monopoly issues - indeed Jack Welch is on the record as saying the biggest mistake of career was underestimating the power of the EC. What finally buried that deal was the blundering attempt by George W. to influence events, which infuriated the Eurocrats, and made them determined to demonstrate that the Commission is not susceptible to intimidation.
Moral: threatening or intimidating the EC is a big mistake:)
"pretty rare" is what I said - to cite one example: comedians on TV: wouldn't you agree that the racist jokes that used to be told by likes of Manning, Davidson etc. have vanished from the media?
Also, contrast the progress made in tackling racism in football in the UK with the situation in the rest of Europe...
For those rest-of-the-worlders here that don't get this Polish reference - Americans are prejudiced towards the Poles. It's kind of the same as the 'Paki' jokes that used to go around the UK, but are pretty rare these days because that kind of racism isn't viewed as acceptable anymore.
more Eurosceptic distortion: have you heard of the European Parliament? And who appoints the commission? Member States' Governments. And who has the final say? Council of Ministers, composed of Member States' Government Ministers.
If you hate it so much why don't you do something about it and stand as an MEP?
Perhaps it wasn't meant to be that way originally, but so what? Do you really think the vision of 50 years ago is useful now?
Successive treaties, agreed by the Governments of the EU member states, have taken us in a new direction. If you disagree with this direction, talk to your MP or vote. It's called democracy.
The US won't pay its bill! Boohoo! The US kicked in $6 Billion to African debt relief, dwarfing the amount kicked in by all other industrialized nations.
Yes, but per capita the U.S. is one of the most tight-fisted of the developed nations when it comes to 3rd world aid. Selective with your statistics, aren't you?
As far as American hegemony being undermined by the rise of China, take two reality pills and step away from the edge. There has always been, and will always be, upending economic forces in the world. Economies respond in cycles accordingly.
I find your denial hilarious! The transformation taking place in China is of a scale heretofore unseen in world history - and yes, that includes even your beloved America;)
Does that mean we can sue your asses for, ooh let's say $500 trillion for f-ing up the world with your profligate energy use? Cos if I remember rightly, you haven't paid us anything for the biosphere yet;)
And why not address my other points - double standards on WMD and U.S. ambivalence WRT genocide?
The point I'm trying to make is that U.N. impotence is due in no small part to U.S. hostility towards any restrictions on U.S. power - including the power to condone crimes against humanity through inaction (Rwanda), or even actively perpetrate them (Laos, Vietnam, and on and on and on...).
Slashdot Mirror
In Microsoft's case this would be about $5.5m-a-day.'
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/c55bc756-1047-11db-8f6f-00 00779e2340.html
I would imagine that there would be stiffer penalties (i.e., non-financial aimed at curtailing MSFT's ability to trade in the EU) available if MSFT continued to defy the commission. If there were not this would be a de facto admission that companies can break the law in the EU with impunity if they are rich enough. I very much doubt the commission would tolerate that state of affairs.
Offtopic I know, but just wanted to say my thoughts are with India after the bombings today. Fucking terrorists :(
It's not a problem these days. There's a satellite which can communicate with the shuttle through a hole in the ion cloud (which was the cause of blackouts).
The first round maybe. Just wait for Russia's comeback when those oil and gas revenues start stacking up...
Amen!
Supporting decisions on what Palestinian land to steal next I suppose.
So there.
Where would we be if everyone acted like that? If, for example America starting invading sovereign countries just to secure cheap oi... Oh, wait
Unfortunately for you, the reality is that the EU is the largest, richest single market in the world, and no serious global business can afford to ignore it.
Moral: threatening or intimidating the EC is a big mistake
...the old Enron building?
Nah - the reason for your power is plain, dumb luck. You were in the right place at the right time.
... is it any wonder the rest of the world doesn't trust you?
Hmm, sort of like all that aid the US needed from the rest of the world after Katrina then eh?
Also, contrast the progress made in tackling racism in football in the UK with the situation in the rest of Europe...
I guess the same is not true of America yet.
If you hate it so much why don't you do something about it and stand as an MEP?
Democratic deficit my arse!
Successive treaties, agreed by the Governments of the EU member states, have taken us in a new direction. If you disagree with this direction, talk to your MP or vote. It's called democracy.
;) Seriously though - more regulatory intervention needed perhaps?
Might I mention Vietnam ;)
Indeed - and American males must be a ready market for all that 'make your manhood bigger' spam, else the spammers wouldn't bother sending it.
Yes, but per capita the U.S. is one of the most tight-fisted of the developed nations when it comes to 3rd world aid. Selective with your statistics, aren't you?
As far as American hegemony being undermined by the rise of China, take two reality pills and step away from the edge. There has always been, and will always be, upending economic forces in the world. Economies respond in cycles accordingly.
I find your denial hilarious! The transformation taking place in China is of a scale heretofore unseen in world history - and yes, that includes even your beloved America ;)
From your poorly spelt and written, profane, and poorly argued text, I would judge that you, Sir, are the pubescent one.
Does that mean we can sue your asses for, ooh let's say $500 trillion for f-ing up the world with your profligate energy use? Cos if I remember rightly, you haven't paid us anything for the biosphere yet ;)
And why not address my other points - double standards on WMD and U.S. ambivalence WRT genocide?
The point I'm trying to make is that U.N. impotence is due in no small part to U.S. hostility towards any restrictions on U.S. power - including the power to condone crimes against humanity through inaction (Rwanda), or even actively perpetrate them (Laos, Vietnam, and on and on and on...).