Microsoft sentenced to pay a record fine for misusing its monopoly! (?)
Just found this on n-tv.de / cnn.de (n-tv is a german partner of CNN):
"Kartellstreit: EU belegt Softwarekonzern Microsoft mit Rekord-Bußgeld von 497 Millionen Euro"
This translates into "EU sentences software company Microsoft to pay a record fine of 497 Million Euros".
I'm not sure if this is true, originally it was said that the EU would announce the sentence only on wednesday.
Anyway, 497 Million Euros, that would be more than 610,000,000 US-$! The whole case is about Microsoft misusing it's monopoly to market it's own Media Player technology by bundling it with Windows (or rather by not selling a Windows distribution without the Media Player).
greetz,
durandal
"Kartellstreit: EU belegt Softwarekonzern Microsoft mit Rekord-Bußgeld von 497 Millionen Euro"
This translates into "EU sentences software company Microsoft to pay a record fine of 497 Million Euros".
I'm not sure if this is true, originally it was said that the EU would announce the sentence only on wednesday.
Anyway, 497 Million Euros, that would be more than 610,000,000 US-$! The whole case is about Microsoft misusing it's monopoly to market it's own Media Player technology by bundling it with Windows (or rather by not selling a Windows distribution without the Media Player).
greetz,
durandal
Comments
And this is more of a General Discussion topic, it's tech related.
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackage...3§ion=news
reading now...
Originally posted by DMBand0026
First of all, that'll never hold up. MS will appeal and won't pay even half that. It's the way the legal system works.
And this is more of a General Discussion topic, it's tech related.
Right
I agree that Microsoft makes crappy software and it pains me whenever I'm forced to use Windows, but think about this for a second.
Originally posted by agent302
I'd hate to be picky and all, but doesn't Apple bundle Quicktime with OS X. Isn't Quicktime inseparable from the operating system?
I agree that Microsoft makes crappy software and it pains me whenever I'm forced to use Windows, but think about this for a second.
One were talking about that windows doesn't come with windows media player. Thats why there paying a fine. I hope there forced to because Gates will lose some of his money.
Originally posted by agent302
I'd hate to be picky and all, but doesn't Apple bundle Quicktime with OS X. Isn't Quicktime inseparable from the operating system?
I agree that Microsoft makes crappy software and it pains me whenever I'm forced to use Windows, but think about this for a second.
That doesn't mean you have to use Quicktime. You can use any format that's playable on a Mac. Same with all the other software, even the Finder.
Sorry, but that bothers the crap out of me.
This is simple English grammar here people!
Originally posted by quagmire
One were talking about that windows doesn't come with windows media player. Thats why there paying a fine. I hope there forced to because Gates will lose some of his money.
Windows is packaged with Windows Media Player (which sucks). And that along with all of the other little bits of software they package with windows to bog it down are getting them in trouble.
And I just read that the fine would be about $614 million dollars
Record Fine for Microsoft
Originally posted by agent302
I'd hate to be picky and all, but doesn't Apple bundle Quicktime with OS X. Isn't Quicktime inseparable from the operating system?
I agree that Microsoft makes crappy software and it pains me whenever I'm forced to use Windows, but think about this for a second.
The difference is, Apple isn't a monopoly. You don't have to worry about your seemingly monopolistic practices when you're not a monopoly. That is, it's OK to do the things MS has done, as long as you aren't a monopoly. That's why the first thing that had to be determined in the MS lawsuit(s) was whether or not they were a monopoly. If it had gone differently, and they hadn't been found to be a monopoly, nothing more would have happened.
Also, a little side note: it isn't illegal to simply be a monopoly. You only get into trouble when you abuse your monopoly power.
Originally posted by DMBand0026
Oh geez...can a mod edit the title of this one please? I just noticed that it says, "Microsoft sentenced to pay a record-fine for misusing it's monopoly! (?)" "...for misusing it's (meaning IT IS) monopoly!..."
Sorry, but that bothers the crap out of me.
This is simple English grammar here people!
Does it have to be "its"? Well, I'm sorry - it might be simple English grammar, but English ain't my native language...
greetz (from Germany)
durandal
Originally posted by ipodandimac
time to bust out my monopoly pic again