European Collective Fines Microsoft $1.4 Billion

[onedomino]

In a well balanced drive to make the playing field level for unknown media players, the EU Commission has fined Microsoft $1.4 billion because its Windows operating system is too successful. Showing profound concern for the welfare of the masses, the Euro Collectivists have decided that Windows does not give the oppressed proletariat enough opportunity to leech off of Microsoft’s technical innovations. When Microsoft argued that it was entitled to protect its "intellectual property" the EU Commissars retired to chambers for consultations. After carefully weighing all arguments the Commissars returned the closely considered opinion: “Not around here you don’t.”

EU Fines Microsoft Record $1.4bn

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7266629.stm

The European Commission has fined US computer giant Microsoft for defying sanctions imposed on it for anti-competitive behavior.

Microsoft must now pay a record 899m euros ($1.4bn; £680.9m) after it failed to comply with a 2004 ruling that it abused its position.

The ruling said that Microsoft was guilty of not providing key code to rival software makers.

Microsoft abused its virtual monopoly in the computer world to muscle out smaller rivals, especially those that make media players and software for servers. At least, that's the finding of the European Commission's competition watchdog.
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One of the media players exhibited by the Euro Prosecution

Microsoft lawyer arguing before the EU Commission

 

[MarlPot]

And Europeans wonder why they pay so much for video games

 

[Gungnir]

I'm not really a fan of Microsoft, but they do have a point.

That being said, I highly encourage open source programs.

 

[007]

If I was Gates, I'd pulled every bit of my software off the EU's shelves and tell them to go fuck themselves.

What a bunch of whiny, commie, sons a bitches.

1.4 billion... ppphht... have fun trying to collect that mother fuckers.

 

[watermark]

And I'd love to see their competitors pull ahead in a 600 million person market.

Microsoft is a bunch of whiny bitches. Stop being so anticompetitive and violating the laws of the nations you are in, and maybe, just maybe, you wouldn't get fined.

I have no idea why this guy wants to blow Bill Gates so bad.

 

[Epsilon Delta]

Yes, those goddamned Socialist Pinko Commie Europeans are at it again, fining the astoundingly wealthy! Shame on them! God forbid that governments have monopoly laws! I'll die for Microsoft's right to fuck me out of every dollar they possibly can for lack of an alternative! Arghh!!!