UPDATE: EU Court Largely Upholds EU Case Against Microsoft

[Greyhound]

Source: CNNMoney

BRUSSELS -(Dow Jones)- The European Court of First Instance Monday largely upheld a 2004 European Commission decision that Microsoft has abused its dominant position in the software market.

The court upheld the commission's 2004 decision that Microsoft was violating European rules against monopoly behavior by withholding key compatibility information - known as "interoperability" in the industry - for rivals to connect with its server products.

The court said that the commission had been correct to conclude that Microsoft rivals would need "equal footing" with Windows operating systems to compete viably.

The court also endorsed the commission's decision that Microsoft was illegally bundling its Media Player program with the Windows operating system.

Read more: http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200709170442DOWJONESDJONLINE000133_FORTUNE5.htm

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Funny how many other nations seem to "get it" when it comes to how M$ operates to the detriment of everybody else, yet they are allowed to stifle innovation and competition here.

This decision upholds the previously imposed fine of nearly half a billion Euros.

[gaspee]

1. I blame Bill Gates

For Bush -- Microsoft wanted a repuke admin in 2000 no matter the cost. In 1999 (or thereabouts) microsoft lost their federal anti-trust case and were fighting the mandatory BREAKUP of microsoft into seperate companies. Funny how that never came to pass once a repuke admin came to power, isn't it?

[Zech Marquis]

2. if only this were the EU

in terms of a court system standing up to M$ and declaring them as the crooks they are...Halo 3 be damned, I'm going to trade in my 360 this week and totally be done with these bastards once and for all! :argh:

[aquart]

4. Then we'd have healthcare, too.

[aquart]

3. Tee hee.

[Vidar]

5. Bravo EU.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

6. More on this from Guardian Unlimited

David Gow in Brussels
Monday September 17, 2007
Guardian Unlimited


The European commission today hailed a key ruling by the court of first instance, Europe's second-highest court, that upheld its March 2004 decision to fine Microsoft a record €497m (£345m) for abusing its dominance of the software market and force it to share critical information with rival companies.

After securing a comprehensive victory in its nine-year battle with Microsoft, Brussels is now free to pursue other high-profile cases against hi-tech companies such as Intel and has emerged as the world's leading anti-trust authority. The company founded by Bill Gates will have to alter its business model as it faces stiff competition on new markets from the likes of Google and Apple.

The court, headed by retiring president Bo Vesterdorf and based in Luxembourg, delivered its long-awaited judgment in little more than four minutes before a packed grande salle, including Brad Smith, Microsoft's general counsel and architect of its fruitless appeal.

Neelie Kroes, EU competition commissioner, later turned the screws on Microsoft by calling for a significant drop in Microsoft's 95% market share in PC operating systems and demanding that it now fully comply with the original 2004 decision in the light of today's court ruling.
More at link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/microsoft/Story/0,,2171089,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=12

[Greyhound]

7. Added to nations (Brazil for one) that have dumped M$ because of the expense and insecurity

of it in favor of Linux and Unix, and suddenly the M$ monopoly isn't looking so unassailable.

There is hope.
:kick:

[Joe Chi Minh]

8. CNNMoney: "... largely upheld a 2004 EC decision..."

The Guardian, "After securing a comprehensive victory...".

Reminds me of George Carlins' take on, "No c-h-i-l-d left behind!", and I think it was something like "Giving childen a head start!"
Carlin: "Hullo, I think something's been lost somewhere along the way...".

[Joe Chi Minh]

9. Microsoft loses anti-trust appeal.

Source: Channel 4 (UKTV) News

"Microsoft loses its European court appeal against against a £343m fine for anti-competitive behaviour."




Read more: http://www.channel4.com/news/business_money

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Just interesting. There is a video clip on the linked site.

[Robbien]

10. With all the Bush appointed judges here in the US, this guilty verdict

can only be possible in a non-US court.

Monopolies are considered to be a good thing here where all anti-monopoly laws are ignored by the courts.

[Joe Chi Minh]

11. Wow. This is bizarre. I'm sure you're absolutely right, but I've just

said that I couldn't imagine one of our courts in the UK finding against one of our big corporations, as one of your judges did against the Chiquita corporaton in Colombia. The only time I think I've had a good word to say about anything that's happened over there since November 2000. It seems you still have the occasional check and occasional balance. Let's hope they are restored in full.