Microsoft and EU Talks End

Paul Longford writes "Microsoft talks with the EC have collapsed. The competition commisioner Mario Monti just made this statement in which he said: 'I'd just like to inform you that a settlement on the Microsoft case has not been possible. I therefore intend to propose to my colleagues in the Commission next Wednesday to adopt a decision, which has already received the unanimous backing of Member States.' This is bad news for Microsoft - it looking at a considerable fine and possibly being forced to open up Windows. It looks like it will be a harsh decision too. Monti says: 'In the end, I had to decide what was best for competition and consumers in Europe. I believe they will be better served with a decision that creates a strong precedent.'"

Ding Dong the Witch is Dead..

[madfgurtbn]

Sounds like the EU is going to show some spine and actually ENFORCE their antitrust laws. What a concept.

10% fine and removal of WMP?

[hc00jw]

Look like Microsoft will get the predicted 10% fine (of annual global sales) and removal of WMP from Windows. Bring on the competition...

Careful..

[Anonymous Coward]

MS contributes a lot of money to both US political parties.. Europe may need "liberating" soon..

Re:A chilling phrase if you're MS

[Mateito]

even MS would presumably rather not pay a billion-dollar fine. I know their cash reserves are up in the 40 billion dollar range

Quick! Short Microsoft!

This sound investment advice bought to you by slashdot.

Re:10% fine and removal of WMP?

[k4_pacific]

There's WMP in Windows? Why hasn't Bush sent in the troops?

Re:Microsoft must have a plan

[AndroidCat]

Sure they have a plan! First they'll send troops across the border wearing fake uniforms, then .. oh wait, wrong plan.

Re:It's about time.

[Peden]

And sadly, that will make slashdot redundant.

Re:hmmmm.... works out math

[iworm]

Stop support of European languages? Where do you think English comes from, eh?? Doh!!

Re:10% fine and removal of WMP?

[TiggsPanther]

There's WMP in Windows?

Yep. Definitely.
Weapons of mass Procrastination

Known to some as MineSweeper and Solitaire

Re:Eventually no apps?

[devnulljapan]

...No Defrag (Notron Works) ...

You forgot No spelchekker.

Re:OK so they get fined and told how to distribute

[I_Want_This_ID]

Yeah! I was totally unaware of Microsoft's anti-competitive monopolistic behavior until this ruling. All my friends were shocked as well.

Denver Post cartoon

[frozenray]

Let's hope it will have a little more impact on Microsoft's business practices than the last judgment [msn.com]

Re:Careful..

[azzy]

*ring-ring ring-ring*
Bush: Hi .. is Mr Blair there?
Blair: Yes.. speaking, how can I help you?
Bush: I'm taking us to war.. against this place called Europe, are you in?
Blair: Uhmm.. *worried* no.. I don't think I can help..
Bush: Pleeeease.. I need someone to show me where it is.. I was never good at this jog-raphy thing.
Blair: Oh.. yes.. ok.. I'll join in.. I can show you what bits you need to bomb.. *aside to secretary* Get me maps of France!

Re:EU now decides how US companies do business

[ZorroXXX]

>Now we are being told to accept that the EU now decides how US companies do business WITH ONE ANOTHER.

How outrageous! The USA has of course never tried to influence how business is done outside it's borders.

Re:It's about time.

[Anonymous Coward]

If revenue starts drying up, then perhaps they will be forced to stop such excesses as funding SCO.

Re:A chilling phrase if you're MS

[D-Cypell]

Steve Balmer rushed over in a last-ditch attempt to try and come to a deal

That is probably what made things collapse. I can see the EU report now...

"After negotiations broke down between us and Microsoft, the current CEO, Steve Ballmer, decided to get personally involved. However, he simply arrived, and jumped up and down chanting like a prick".

Re:Ding Dong the Witch is Dead..

[Anonymous Coward]

i think it has more to do with europeans being cowardly and jealous

Jealous? How could anyone ever be jealous of a country where a woman can't get her tits out without causing a national crisis?

Transcript

[TALlama]

It's no surprise that the talks ended. Here's a rough transcript of the proceedings that I was able to smuggle out of Brussels:

Monty: Microsoft, we're going to levy heavy penalties for your past behavior.
MS: Now, wait here: let's compromise.
Monty: Okay, let's here it.
MS: How about you don't levy heavy penalties for our past behavior.
Monty: [silence]
MS: Well?
Monty: Heavier fines.

Re:It's about time.

[Bombcar]

ONLY anti-monopoly journal in America.

Doesn't that make them a monopoly on anti-monopoly journals? :)

Re:Bloody right

[donutello]

We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans,
We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds,
We shall fight in the fields, and in the streets,
We shall fight in the hills;


Sounds like our last family vacation.

Re:It's about time.

[freakmn]

And sadly, that will make slashdot redundant.

And that is different how?

Re:Ding Dong the Witch is Dead..

[Anthony Boyd]

Given the anti-american semtiment in europe

It's anti-Bush sentiment. Of course Bush supporters don't see any difference, but there is one.

My mom, like all of our moms, has been forwarding me stupid jokes and such via email. Well, the one from this morning was titled, "Bush is NOT the worst President in US history!" And it went into a long rant about how other Presidents started wars without being provoked, and how other Presidents lost far more soldiers. Knowing just how to push the buttons of my conservative, Christian, country-music-loving family members, I replied to all with one simple response: "Your email is right! George Bush is NOT the worst President! He is SECOND worst. His dad was first."

And since I did that an hour ago, I've enjoyed a steady stream of email about how disappointed my family is that I have no patriotism. My mom told me she "still loves me" and will send me a US flag. Sigh. Good times, good times.

This will NEVER happen:

[rice_burners_suck]

Microsoft should be forced to release ALL source code and documentation for EVERY product they released during the company's existance under the GPL. They should be forced to give all their assets to the Free Software Foundation. Microsoft should be forced to shut down. And Bill Gates should be forced to give Linus Torvalds all of his personal assets, and work for Linus as a janitor. And pigs should be forced to grow wings and fly.

Re:Careful..

[Anonymous Coward]

Long before the US Naval Task Force even reaches in sight of european land, our subs would have wasted the europeans sea forces.

Mind you, I'm european

Umm, yeah, whatever you say.