Intimidated
09-05-2003, 07:34 AM
(Hi guys i'm back from holiday!!!! - Intimidated)
So... Microsoft is abusing its dominant position in the PC market. Well, i've never heard that before. (/sarcasm) - However, this time it's the European Commission that's saying so, and it's getting extremely fed up of doing so.
In a publicly-released announcement, the EC gave Bill Gates and his minions what amounts to a final warning. The statement said, "The Commission's preliminary conclusion is that Microsoft's abuses are still ongoing." The software colossus has been given one month to respond.
The EC's accusations are two-fold. Firstly, it is alleging that Microsoft is unfairly promoting its own Media Player at the expense of competitors such as RealOne Player and MusicMatch Jukebox (and naturally, nobody ever thinks of the users - So many people would be better off with the freeware WinAmp). The EC either wants to see rival services included within the Windows package (Requiem Sponsored by RealNetworks(TM)), or a version of the OS sold without a player. Secondly, Microsoft is accused of discouraging compatibility between different companies' systems, to transfer its dominant position from PCs into low-end servers. It has been insturcted to provide its competitors with more code to fix this situation.
Microsoft is currently considering its position. Horacio Gutierrez, Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs for Microsoft Middle East and Africa,said, "We will not speculate on possible outcomes or the suggested remedies, and continue to focus our effortson responding to the Commission's concerns. Microsoft taked this investigation very seriously, and continues to work hard to maintain a dialogue that will allow positive resolution to the commission's concerns and this new Statement of Objections."
So... Microsoft is abusing its dominant position in the PC market. Well, i've never heard that before. (/sarcasm) - However, this time it's the European Commission that's saying so, and it's getting extremely fed up of doing so.
In a publicly-released announcement, the EC gave Bill Gates and his minions what amounts to a final warning. The statement said, "The Commission's preliminary conclusion is that Microsoft's abuses are still ongoing." The software colossus has been given one month to respond.
The EC's accusations are two-fold. Firstly, it is alleging that Microsoft is unfairly promoting its own Media Player at the expense of competitors such as RealOne Player and MusicMatch Jukebox (and naturally, nobody ever thinks of the users - So many people would be better off with the freeware WinAmp). The EC either wants to see rival services included within the Windows package (Requiem Sponsored by RealNetworks(TM)), or a version of the OS sold without a player. Secondly, Microsoft is accused of discouraging compatibility between different companies' systems, to transfer its dominant position from PCs into low-end servers. It has been insturcted to provide its competitors with more code to fix this situation.
Microsoft is currently considering its position. Horacio Gutierrez, Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs for Microsoft Middle East and Africa,said, "We will not speculate on possible outcomes or the suggested remedies, and continue to focus our effortson responding to the Commission's concerns. Microsoft taked this investigation very seriously, and continues to work hard to maintain a dialogue that will allow positive resolution to the commission's concerns and this new Statement of Objections."