06.15.09
Microsoft Antitrust in Europe, Russia, South Korea
Summary: Ongoing Microsoft abuses receive the attention of more than one nation
THE previous post showed that Microsoft had allegedly been gaming statistics in order to advance its agenda in European courts. According to the following report from Bloomberg, Microsoft is rightly accused of threatening/blackmailing/bullying OEMs. Regulators wish to know more.
EU Is Said to Ask PC Makers About Microsoft Influence (Update2)
The European Commission in Brussels sent questionnaires to PC makers asking about their communications with Microsoft, according to two people who have seen the queries and declined to be identified because the document is confidential.
The commission in January filed a complaint accusing Microsoft of possibly harming consumer choice and product innovation by including the Internet Explorer browser with its Windows operating system. Microsoft may be forced to disable some software code and offer PC users a choice of browsers when setting up a new PC on a so-called “ballot screen,” the company said in a U.S. regulatory filing on Jan. 18.
This was also covered by IDG:
EC: Is Microsoft pressuring witnesses in antitrust case?
The European Commission is asking PC makers and software rivals if Microsoft has been pressuring them in connection with the ongoing antitrust case concerning Web browsers, one such company said Tuesday.
Hours ago we showed that Microsoft had even been pressuring judges and it is difficult to forget the Neelie Kroes incident.
On top of that, as we noted last week, Microsoft is in hot waters in Russia for essentially preventing people from buying a laptop without Windows.
Many weeks ago Korea told the world about crimes that Intel had been committing and it is now telling the world that Microsoft is guilty of antitrust violations.
A South Korean court ruled Thursday that Microsoft violated anti-trust regulations by bundling programs with its Windows operating system, but dismissed demands for monetary compensation from rival companies.
Compensations are not being granted, but there is recognition that Microsoft broke the law. This is also covered in:
- Korean court slaps Microsoft over bundling software
- Microsoft found guilty in South Korea anti-trust case
Other reports almost contradict it and sometimes agree. They focus a lot more on the fact that the plaintiff will not be compensated.
- S Korea Court Dismisses Compensation Suits Against Microsoft
- Korea Court Dismisses Compensation Suits Against Microsoft
- SKorean court rejects Microsoft compensation suit
- Microsoft Escapes Payout For S. Korea Market Abuse
- South Korea court rejects claims against Microsoft
Without punishment, what does a verdict such as this one actually achieve? █
Marcus Koze said,
June 15, 2009 at 7:21 am
My first reaction to this was a shiny smile… which dissapeared in an instant when i realised that this might just be yet another such trial that micromoft gets dragged into, just to be left loose with small (if any) penalties applied, so they can go and say the world “See, they accused us, but we were found clean after all, we’re persecuted” … so, meh … wish God see what they’re doing and punish them in human, mortal form, not wait for _the_ Judgement Day