Microsoft Chided Over Exclusive Music Idea

grumpyman writes "The federal judge overseeing Microsoft Corp.'s business practices scolded the company Wednesday over a proposal to force manufacturers to tether iPod-like devices to Microsoft's own music player software. Microsoft blamed the proposal on a newly hired, "lower-level business person" who did not understand the company's obligations under the antitrust settlement."

Suuuure

[gbulmash]

Microsoft blamed the proposal on a newly hired, "lower-level business person" who did not understand the company's obligations under the antitrust settlement.

Possible responses from the judge:

• The Surgeon General has determined it is hazardous to your health to blow smoke up my ass.
  
• Pull my other leg, it has bells on it.
  
• And after I accept that, you've got a bridge you want to sell me?
• Ha ha ha ha! Stop it, you're killin' me!
  
• Ahhh, the blame it on the new guy defense. Not gonna fly. Next excuse?
  
• (to lead counsel) Okay. If you say so. Are we still on for golf in Bermuda next week?
  

- Greg

Of course

[dtfinch]

There's nothing Microsoft could have done. Those low level interns practically run the company.

I can hear it now...

[xgadflyx]

Somewhere deep in the heart of Redmond.... "Damn those new MBA graduate students! Don't know there head from their @#$hole. Looks like we need to re-evaluate our initial MS obscure wording 101 course"

"lower-level business person"

[Baricom]

Can't get any lower than scapegoat, right?

"business person"?

[Anonymous Coward]

Read: business woman.

The good old days at MS

[MLopat]

I miss the good old days at Microsoft. When we used to just do whatever the hell we wanted, and would write a cheque for the consequences later. :)

of course...

[sapgau]

It was one of those lower level, chair throwing, teeth grinding employees!!

I don't care what they say...

[NotQuiteReal]

I may hate MSFT (slashdot crowd cheers) them or love them (slashdot crowd boos), but either way, I give them money every year.

This is not a moral judgement anymore... on a technical basis, do they have something I want? yes.

BTW, I reboot my Windows boxes every month or so, whether they need it or not. Just Because.

did not understand?

[the-build-chicken]

lower-level business person" who did not understand the company's obligations under the antitrust settlement...and apparently been living the past 5 years without a tv.....or a newspaper.....or interpersonal contact.......in a box....wearing earmuffs......buried in a 12 foot crater on the other side of mars.

Re:did not understand?

[jedZ]

with a sign on it saying "Beware of Leopard".

Re:Are you fucking kidding me?

[johansalk]

It seems to work for Bush.

Re:"Microsoft regrets

[mattjb0010]

the proposal ever was sent to music-player

Come on, get with the times. They're not music players or mp3 players any more, they're iPod-like devices. [slashdot.org]

brilliant future

[Anonymous Coward]

Microsoft blamed the proposal on a newly hired, "lower-level business person" who did not understand the company's obligations under the antitrust settlement.

Let's say that for a new hire, the guy knows a lot about Microsoft tactics already... he only failed one test: never get caught!

Maybe his name was "Tibor"

[Anonymous Coward]

(with apologies to The Simpsons")

Homer: Now Bill if you get in trouble, just blame the guy who can't speak English. Ah Tibor, how many times have you saved my butt?

Glad to see Microsoft's H1-B program is working

[bombadier_beetle]

The judge said Microsoft's music-player proposal -- even though it was abandoned 10 days later -- "maybe indicates a chink in the compliance process."

Well, now we know the ethnicity of the low-level intern.

Re:Glad to see Microsoft's H1-B program is working

[pintomp3]

LOL, took me a second to figure out what you were refering to figure out what you were refering to. gotta start reading my racist dictionary more often.

Re:Suuuure

[waferhead]

"Ballmer?"

No, he said "Low Level"... Not "Neanderthal".

Re:"lower-level business person"

[jellomizer]

Official Job Title: Jr. Manager of Marketing
Actaull Job title: Scapegoat.

Your jobs is to be blames for all "mistakes" that we make and get caught for. Depending on the size of the mistake you could get fired, but we will leave a good reference for you. Just as long as you don't work for and competition.

And in related news...

[Anonymous Coward]

Bill Gates privately commended his new padawan.

Reminds me of teenage sex

[Weaselmancer]

You know, when you're new to it all and shy about asking and you kind of hedge your bets.

"Ha ha ha. No, I'm just kidding."

"...unless you think it's a good idea, that is."