All Things Microsoft > Microsoft as a Company
Microsoft in deep shit in Europe
preacher:
http://www.eubusiness.com/afp/040314121050.71e59rie
From what I have heard, the european union is basically about to declare MS a monopoly, something that the US government has yet to do. Anyway they are about to heavily fine MS and demand that they make changes to the OS to better allow competition.
quote:
In Microsoft's case, the sources said, this could take the form of a requirement that it detach the Windows Media Player from the Windows operating system used on 90 percent of personal computers. The media player handles sound and visual data, such as radio and TV streams and MP3 files.
One of the main complaints against Microsoft is that it squeezes rivals out of the market, such as Netscape in the past for Internet browsers, or Realnetworks Inc. and Apple for media player.
--- End quote ---
I really wish this had happened in the US, because the EU has no power to break apart MS, but they do have the power to limit its imports into Europe costing MS a huge chunk of cash. This means they can force the software maker to follow their bidding, at least in the European versions of Windows. I don't know if this will have spill over effect in the rest of the world or not. Hopefully it will.
Refalm:
Microsoft wanted to add an extra CD-ROM containing RealOne Player, iTunes, Winamp, etc. in Europe.
The EU refused this. It looks like Microsoft is going to make special EU versions that do not contain Windows Media Player.
WMD:
quote:Originally posted by ThePreacher:
From what I have heard, the european union is basically about to declare MS a monopoly, something that the US government has yet to do.
--- End quote ---
Well MS is a convicted monopolist in the US, technically, though they snuck out via some stupid judge. So they are declared a monopoly in the US.
Annorax:
quote:Originally posted by Refalm:
Microsoft wanted to add an extra CD-ROM containing RealOne Player, iTunes, Winamp, etc. in Europe.
The EU refused this. It looks like Microsoft is going to make special EU versions that do not contain Windows Media Player.
--- End quote ---
One can only hope they realize how much money they'd make by offering the WMP-free version in the US and Canada as well.
mobrien_12:
quote:Originally posted by WMD:
Well MS is a convicted monopolist in the US, technically, though they snuck out via some stupid judge. So they are declared a monopoly in the US.
--- End quote ---
A declared monopoly that lost the court case but somehow got the DOJ to agree that they would never again prosecute them for bundling/tying applications to the core OS.
*shakes head*
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