European rivals turn wary eye on Microsoft

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But not that simple.

As a monopolist, there are certain things Microsoft can't do. But producing new products and improving older ones are not on that list.

The issue is often more behavioral, having to do with the impact on the competition than the capabilities and functions of the software.

European laws are a bigger difficulty than US laws on this issue, because the EU emphasizes competition, even at the expense of consumer benefit.
The EC has expanded this principle to include actively harming a successful company to assist a defeated competitor, but legal guidelines for the extent of that authority are still being stated by European courts.

That emphasis in the EU is why companies attempting to use government regulation to influence the market are setting off on expeditions to Europe.

But even the Monti-era EC needed a pretext for its power grabs. And the EU Courts have been happy to treat Monti's efforts with contempt when he asserted unjustified authority or otherwise didn't meet reasonable expectations for his job.


So a lot is unsettled. And the specifics of what Micrsosoft does with its products and how those products are marketed do matter.

Posted by: Anton Philidor   Posted on: 09/28/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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