EU Releases Microsoft Antitrust Report

Hassman writes "Ever wondered the reasoning behind the EU fining Microsoft and ordering them to sell a Media Player free version of Windows? Well now you can stop wondering. If you aren't up for the full read (it is 302 pages), check out the Reuters summary. Want more? Check out a quote from the summary: 'There is a huge switching cost to using a different operating system [as in not Windows],' he [a MS exec] wrote Gates. 'It is this switching cost that has given customers the patience to stick with Windows through all our mistakes, our buggy drivers, our high TCO, our lack of a sexy version at times...' Mmm...sexy indeed." Reader BrerBear writes "News.com is reporting that the European Union has released its report on Microsoft's conduct, to which Microsoft has pre-emptively responded. Inside are more classic examples of what one should never write in an internal memo: 'In short, without this exclusive franchise called the Windows API, we would have been dead a long time ago,' from Microsoft Sr. VP Bob Muglia."

Here we go

[Anonymous Coward]

Who cares what the facts are really? It's time to gather up and trash Microsoft, let's go! Has this ever been done here before? I think we're treading new ground!

Sometimes I wonder..

[osullish]

..about these internal memos, sometimes they're too funny to be true, its like they feel compelled to give us even more ammo!

Ha!

[YanceyAI]

The decision draws on memos, testimony, U.S. court records and much more. It finds Microsoft can "behave to a very large extent independently of its competitors, its customers and ultimately of consumers."

This is news to whom?

Well It's About bloody time!

[Yonkeltron]

Well It's About bloody time! I feel like it might be the best thing the EU has done for us, what with the Patents and all.
I can't wipe my ass without Micro$oft patenting the technique!

Windows...Sexy?!

[JoeBaldwin]

Those two words do NOT belong in the same sentence.

And in other news...

[lavalyn]

The United States has declared the enforcement of a sovereign nation's own laws to be weapons of monopoly destruction.

Re:Windows...Sexy?!

[Ernest P Worrell]

... and about the only thing that makes Linux "sexy" is the photoshoped "Linux Girls." It's an operating system for cryin out loud ...

MS execs know ...

[vijayiyer]

I've always figured that MS execs were smart enough to know that their products are garbage. This just confirms that.

Re:Common Sense ...

[Anonymous Coward]

From the article:

Microsoft contends it should not have to do so, saying: "When is it unlawful for a dominant firm to incorporate new components or features that demonstrably improve its finished product?"

I'll take "Illegal monopolies" for $590 million, Alex.

- Tony

Re:Windows...Sexy?!

[scheveningen]

I reckon you have never been to the red-light district of Amsterdam...

Re:Well It's About bloody time!

[BlackHawk-666]

I believe Amazon to be the holder of the "Single Wipe" patent #662894. Use two or more wipes to clean your arse or you will find yourself on the end of a long and pointy legal suit.

Re:Customer Loyalty?

[Phekko]

I learned DOS when I was 6 yrs old to play Montezuma's Revenge. So it cant be that hard.

Yes, but in most parts of Europe it is illegal to use underage labor force.

Re:Sometimes I wonder..

[Spoing]

2. ..about these internal memos, sometimes they're too funny to be true, its like they feel compelled to give us even more ammo!

Fortunately, Microsoft has instituted a new policy called "True Words". Now, all internal memos are available to anyone who is interested, including the general public -- no legal mucking around needed!

Here is a sample from a memo sent yesterday;

1. Doug said, banter is gravy but not on a Tuesday. Fogotten beaverskins, soaked, will affirm our continued reliability.

One Man's Switching Cost..

[the0ther]

One man's switching cost is another man's hobby. The MS antitrust suits are still total BS, althought I'm basically on board with Windows haters.

Ironic that the EU used Windows pdf software

[Anonymous Coward]

Ironic that the EU used Windows pdf software to create this report.

"Acrobat Distiller 5.0.5 (Windows)"

Re:To the Owners/Managers of Any Company

[Havokmon]

We don't spend any time with "typical MS problems like Outlook viruses and the like". We don't use Outlook for anything, and we have virus programs running. I'm not sure what problems that you are referring to. Our computers are zero maintenance, except when we have to do something like change the toner in the printer.

Ahhh.. You must be running Netware. Good lad. :)

Truth is stranger than fiction...

[mdielmann]

I always thought it was so cheesy when the villian in some movie would capture the hero and say, "I want you to die knowing my evil plot. This will be my last punishment." Then you just know the hero is going to escape, and use this newfound knowledge to thwart the villian. This has been so overdone that you'd think everyone would have seen it at least once and gone "mental note..."

Re:Even MS knows they make crap, etc,etc hahaha

[Anonymous Coward]

Anyone who claims that Windows 2000 is buggy and unstable is in error. And an idiot.

Yeah, of course. W2k is not buggy. Only the apps that run on it make it buggy. If you don't run anything but just let it sit it is absolutely bug-free. Especially if you switch off the computer.