[Golden Eagle]

You don't even understand why they want the documents, do you. It's called the right to a fair trial, and Microsoft is being denied the right to even know what IBM and Oracle are feeding the EU in the form of supposed complaints. The EU is saying, "you're bad", Microsoft says "why", and the EU then says "well, we can't tell you, it's confidential between IBM and us."

What a load of bull. Janet Reno is probably running the whole thing again.

[rzeznikj at stout]

These four companies are in the equivalent of a witness protection program. Aside from interfering with US sovereignty, the companies fear vicious retaliation, and in the interest of fairness for everyone, EU refuses to enforce any subpoena, nor will issue one.

Also, like people, corporations also are entitled to conduct their private affairs without undue interference. Every federal judge found the cases the same way--MS's requests were so unreasonable under American business law that they were dismissed handily.

If MS gains access to their corporate documents, it can cripple these companies. MS can, over the course of a few years, use EEE and put all four of them into niche markets--if not shut them down completely.

Further, there is no conspiracy between IBM and the EU against MS--the absurdity of which I find to be pretty obvious. That is, except if you're a MS shill.

Finally, I would strongly advise you to stop drinking the kool-aid and post intelligently.