Microsoft hit by record EU fine

Discussion in 'News' started by SimonV, Mar 24, 2004.

  1. SimonV
    Honorary Member

    SimonV Petabyte Poster Gold Member

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    [​IMG]<font size="3">Microsoft hit by record EU fine</font>

    Microsoft have been fined 497 Million Euros ($613m, £331m). This is approximately 8% of the profit Microsoft makes in Europe. EU Competition Commissioner Mario Monti is giving Microsoft 90 days to comply with the ruling which states Microsoft must make a seperate version of Windows without Windows Media Player for Europe and within 120days show some of their code for Windows.

    Microsoft have stated they will appeal against the decision and legal battles will likely last years.

    A harsh decision by the EU but one that reflects attitudes to Microsofts monopoly of the desktop PC market. Maybe Mario Monti is secretly working on a case against Apple who bundle Quicktime and iTunes (a dominate music service) in their Apple OSX operating system. Such a move is fair since iTunes dominates the market share of online music services. Should the EU force Microsoft to comply this will damage Microsofts advance into digital media across Europe.

    Full Story: bbc.co.uk
     
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Comments

    1. tripwire45
      tripwire45
      Read this one hours ago. Guess Gates will have to dig into petty cash for this one.
    2. flex22
      flex22
      Couldn't care less about the money.There's more interesting implications to this.

      Now if I could only understand exactly what they were :gaz
    3. SimonV
      SimonV
      It has been said that Microsoft must create a version of the Windows PC operating system that does not have the Media Player included and offer that to computer makers within 90 days.

      It also must create "complete and accurate documentation" (I like that part :lol: ) within 120 days that will allow other companies' workgroup servers to be completely interoperable with Windows.

      Do you think this will make much of a difference?
    4. AJ
      AJ
      Will make no difference at all. Let's be honest money talks and Uncle Bill certainly has plenty of that.

      The changes proposed will make no difference as we all will still have to download the appropriate media software to operate those files.

      Joe Average goes to, dare I say it, PC World to buy himself a PC all he is offered if Windows XP Home and nothing else. You want Linux, "It's on the self over there!"

      What is around that the average person can use and has software that can run on it?

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