"EU Hits Microsoft With Record $613M Fine"

[Bassyhead]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040324/ap_on_bi_ge/eu_microsoft&cid=509&ncid=716

"BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Union (news - web sites) declared Microsoft Corp. guilty of abusing its "near monopoly" with Windows to foil competitors in other markets and hit the software giant with a record fine of $613 million Wednesday. "

 

[freegeeks]

'This ruling is yet another example of the EU assaulting a successful American industry and policies that support our economic growth,' said U.S. Senator Patty Murray, a Democrat from Microsoft's home state, Washington. . . .
"Murray called on the Bush administration to 'engage' the EU in settling the case. 'The EU has now directly attacked the authority of the United States and our economy in general,' she said in a statement. 'American jobs and economic interests are threatened,' she said."

bring it on B*TCH

link

 

[lozina]

I like how some people are saying 'oh this is pocket change for MS, it should be a bigger fine!' like just because the company is very rich it should be acceptable to basically pilfer their coffers.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Is that how European companies are treated in Europe as well? You get too successful, then they smack you down? Hmm...perhaps that's why there's no great companies there and, if there are, please let me know so I can whine and cry until they give me their industry secrets.

 

[bozack]

here is the link that Hero posted:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4591561/

personally I think this:

120 days for Microsoft to release ?complete and accurate? programming code to rivals in the server market, so their products can have ?full interoperability? with desktop computers running Windows.

is BS as it just gives other companies the ability to rip off MS code and offer copycat programs, or allows others to see all vulnerabilities...they are treating Windows like it is open source which it isn't....

Dave and Co would love this ruling though as they are all for the Robin Hood mentality...

 

[bozack]

Originally posted by: freegeeks

'This ruling is yet another example of the EU assaulting a successful American industry and policies that support our economic growth,' said U.S. Senator Patty Murray, a Democrat from Microsoft's home state, Washington. . . .
"Murray called on the Bush administration to 'engage' the EU in settling the case. 'The EU has now directly attacked the authority of the United States and our economy in general,' she said in a statement. 'American jobs and economic interests are threatened,' she said."

bring it on B*TCH

link

nice link to an op/ed piece by a paralegal...

 

[freegeeks]

Originally posted by: bozack

Originally posted by: freegeeks

'This ruling is yet another example of the EU assaulting a successful American industry and policies that support our economic growth,' said U.S. Senator Patty Murray, a Democrat from Microsoft's home state, Washington. . . .
"Murray called on the Bush administration to 'engage' the EU in settling the case. 'The EU has now directly attacked the authority of the United States and our economy in general,' she said in a statement. 'American jobs and economic interests are threatened,' she said."

bring it on B*TCH

link

nice link to an op/ed piece by a paralegal...

it was just laughing with the rhetoric of that Senator

 

[freegeeks]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor
Is that how European companies are treated in Europe as well? You get too successful, then they smack you down? Hmm...perhaps that's why there's no great companies there and, if there are, please let me know so I can whine and cry until they give me their industry secrets.

yes, you are right, there are no great companies in Europe

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: freegeeks

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor
Is that how European companies are treated in Europe as well? You get too successful, then they smack you down? Hmm...perhaps that's why there's no great companies there and, if there are, please let me know so I can whine and cry until they give me their industry secrets.

yes, you are right, there are no great companies in Europe

I see you disagree. Excellent! Please list them so I can call them and demand they release their source code and trade secrets so I can get rich myself...after all ?Dominant companies have a special responsibility to ensure that the way they do business doesn?t prevent competition ... and does not harm consumers and innovation.?

 

[lozina]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor
Is that how European companies are treated in Europe as well? You get too successful, then they smack you down? Hmm...perhaps that's why there's no great companies there and, if there are, please let me know so I can whine and cry until they give me their industry secrets.

research: Siemens

 

[flashbacck]

Microsoft should retaliate by refusing to sell anymore products or providing updates to europe

 

[DaFinn]

Originally posted by: flashbacck
Microsoft should retaliate by refusing to sell anymore products or providing updates to europe

IBM and SAP would like MS to do just that. Several governments in Europe have already switched to Linux, that IBM is pushing hard in here.
I have a friend who is working for IBM, and he says they have 110 of 500 top companies in their pocket already using Linux...
If MS would retaliate, it would be a great day for IBM and other companies offering open source solutions.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: DaFinn

Originally posted by: flashbacck
Microsoft should retaliate by refusing to sell anymore products or providing updates to europe

IBM and SAP would like MS to do just that. Several governments in Europe have already switched to Linux, that IBM is pushing hard in here.
I have a friend who is working for IBM, and he says they have 110 of 500 top companies in their pocket already using Linux...
If MS would retaliate, it would be a great day for IBM and other companies offering open source solutions.

Yeah, we'll see how much savings they have when they need to hire $200/hr techies to troubleshoot/upgrade their networks.

 

[DaFinn]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: DaFinn

Originally posted by: flashbacck
Microsoft should retaliate by refusing to sell anymore products or providing updates to europe

IBM and SAP would like MS to do just that. Several governments in Europe have already switched to Linux, that IBM is pushing hard in here.
I have a friend who is working for IBM, and he says they have 110 of 500 top companies in their pocket already using Linux...
If MS would retaliate, it would be a great day for IBM and other companies offering open source solutions.

Yeah, we'll see how much savings they have when they need to hire $200/hr techies to troubleshoot/upgrade their networks.

I'll let you in on a secret. IBM charges/hr the same amount for troubleshooting/upgradeing both Windows and Linux networks... WHY WOULD THERE BE A DIFFERENCE?

 

[DaFinn]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor
Is that how European companies are treated in Europe as well? You get too successful, then they smack you down? Hmm...perhaps that's why there's no great companies there and, if there are, please let me know so I can whine and cry until they give me their industry secrets.

I take it there has NEVER been ANY trials in US against Microsoft... especially any that have something to do with monopoly and how they use it.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: DaFinn

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: DaFinn

Originally posted by: flashbacck
Microsoft should retaliate by refusing to sell anymore products or providing updates to europe

IBM and SAP would like MS to do just that. Several governments in Europe have already switched to Linux, that IBM is pushing hard in here.
I have a friend who is working for IBM, and he says they have 110 of 500 top companies in their pocket already using Linux...
If MS would retaliate, it would be a great day for IBM and other companies offering open source solutions.

Yeah, we'll see how much savings they have when they need to hire $200/hr techies to troubleshoot/upgrade their networks.

I'll let you in on a secret. IBM charges/hr the same amount for troubleshooting/upgradeing both Windows and Linux networks... WHY WOULD THERE BE A DIFFERENCE?

You missed the point. A computer literate secretary could administer and upgrade a Windows network. For Linux, you need expensive techs.

 

[0roo0roo]

so bush runs to big steels aid, for no good reason, yet remains mum on ms? wtf.

 

[Czar]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: DaFinn

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: DaFinn

Originally posted by: flashbacck
Microsoft should retaliate by refusing to sell anymore products or providing updates to europe

IBM and SAP would like MS to do just that. Several governments in Europe have already switched to Linux, that IBM is pushing hard in here.
I have a friend who is working for IBM, and he says they have 110 of 500 top companies in their pocket already using Linux...
If MS would retaliate, it would be a great day for IBM and other companies offering open source solutions.

Yeah, we'll see how much savings they have when they need to hire $200/hr techies to troubleshoot/upgrade their networks.

I'll let you in on a secret. IBM charges/hr the same amount for troubleshooting/upgradeing both Windows and Linux networks... WHY WOULD THERE BE A DIFFERENCE?

You missed the point. A computer literate secretary could administer and upgrade a Windows network. For Linux, you need expensive techs.

not quiiiitee

I admit that windows is simpler to administer but thats only because I am used to it and have worked with that for years. But it is by no means simple.

 

[Martin]

pop quiz...guess which other country found MS guilty of abusing their monopoly power.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: MartyTheManiak
pop quiz...guess which other country found MS guilty of abusing their monopoly power.

Question #2: How much was Microsoft fined by that other country?

 

[InfectedMushroom]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
so bush runs to big steels aid, for no good reason, yet remains mum on ms? wtf.

he's waiting for hit cut first.
common think in practical terms

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: Czar

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: DaFinn

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: DaFinn

Originally posted by: flashbacck
Microsoft should retaliate by refusing to sell anymore products or providing updates to europe

IBM and SAP would like MS to do just that. Several governments in Europe have already switched to Linux, that IBM is pushing hard in here.
I have a friend who is working for IBM, and he says they have 110 of 500 top companies in their pocket already using Linux...
If MS would retaliate, it would be a great day for IBM and other companies offering open source solutions.

Yeah, we'll see how much savings they have when they need to hire $200/hr techies to troubleshoot/upgrade their networks.

I'll let you in on a secret. IBM charges/hr the same amount for troubleshooting/upgradeing both Windows and Linux networks... WHY WOULD THERE BE A DIFFERENCE?

You missed the point. A computer literate secretary could administer and upgrade a Windows network. For Linux, you need expensive techs.

not quiiiitee

I admit that windows is simpler to administer but thats only because I am used to it and have worked with that for years. But it is by no means simple.

no means simple enough for a 4 year old child perhaps, but far simpler then linux. its simply a fact.

 

[Martin]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: MartyTheManiak
pop quiz...guess which other country found MS guilty of abusing their monopoly power.

Question #2: How much was Microsoft fined by that other country?

much less than they should have been.

 

[Martin]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: MartyTheManiak
pop quiz...guess which other country found MS guilty of abusing their monopoly power.

Question #2: How much was Microsoft fined by that other country?

much less than they should have been.

 

[sandorski]

The right decision, though the fine was steep and likely unnecessary.