> What if Microsoft refused to sell in Europe, ...
Then this would never have happened.
It would also never have happened if Mr.Bill had
adequately documented the interfaces that allow
other software to interoperate with his. MS is
either unwilling or unable* to do so.
Anyone who wants to operate as a monopoly has to
deal with the fact that many jurisdictions have
adverse law about that, and handle it. MS is not
handling it in a competent fashion.
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MS OOXML is a strong argument for “unable”.
“Anyone who wants to operate as a monopoly has to deal with the fact that many jurisdictions have adverse law about that, and handle it.”
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Microsoft is not a monopoly. If you have no choice but to buy a product or service (e.g. cable or telephone service given exclusive rights by the government) then that is a monopoly. If Microsoft is close to a monopoly, it is because people voluntarily chose their product over their competitors.
As Alan Greenspan stated, “businessmen have no way of knowing whether specific actions will be declared illegal” by antitrust laws “until they hear the judge’s verdict.”
The EU Commission decision is arbitrary and legal piracy.
Thanks for the reply. MS is entering a period of transition with the Yahoo purchase. We may not recognize the company so much from here on. I wonder whether a retention problem will affect its ability to execute.