California sues Microsoft for antitrust...again

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You aren't the first. You won't be the last...

I've read your post before now, many times, on many stories on ZD-Net. I'm a veteran of the ZD-Net arguments over Microsoft and anti-trust. Here's a bit of history. Would you like a doughnought?

During DOJ v Microsoft, pro-Microsoft and anti-antitrust zealots screamed as you do now. When Microsoft was found guilty on the facts they were astonished and flabberghasted, but were much heartened when the Ashcroft DOJ handed Microsoft a slap on the wrist. They crowed as though they'd achieved a great victory.

Microsoft was guilty, but not broken apart. Somehow, this was victory? The zealot's crowing was short lived.

Since then Microsoft has settled with every plaintiff from the original case in cash. Microsft is embroiled in antitrust cases in Japan and the EC and possibly soon Australia. They've needed to settle cases with Sun, AOL-TW, and even a lowly little company named Lindows Inc. They've been found guilty of infringement in France. They've been found guilty of misleading advertising in the United Kingdom. They've lost once already to the consumers of California for price fixing, which sort of reveals the mood of California's citizenry.

Microsoft's aching wrist from that mild DOJ slap is swelling. Whether it turns gangrenous is anyone's guess. Whether the loss of a limb will restore the market to balance is also anyone's guess.

I guess what I'm trying to say is: feel free to say what you are saying, but you'll discover that most of us have read it all before you write it. We all know the responses. We all know the arguments, counterarguments and complaints. We have them numbered. A previous poster already responded with the standard responses.

You'll find us rather disinterested.

Posted by: John Le'Brecage   Posted on: 08/27/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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