Microsoft Threatens Startups Over Account Info

HangingChad writes "According to Fortune, there are reports that Microsoft is trying to strong arm startups to give preferential treatment to MSN Messenger and are using account information as leverage. 'If the company wants to offer other IM services (from Yahoo, Google or AOL, say), Messenger must get top billing. And if the startup wants to offer any other IM service, it must pay Microsoft 25 cents a user per year for a site license.' Of course, if the company is willing to use Messenger exclusively 'fee will be discounted 100 percent.' Getting detailed information is difficult as many of the companies being approached are afraid of reprisals."

Evil is Microsoft's most important product?

[Futurepower(R)]

Quote from the Fortune article: "This is a great example of why Google is the leader ... and Microsoft is not..."

Microsoft: Do evil if evil makes money? Or, Microsoft: Evil is our most important product, making money is secondary?

It's security, stupid

[nbauman]

From TFA:

Hall said that Microsoft's main concern, and the reason it sent out Big Foot letters in the first place, was security.

Well, of course. Think of the children.

Re:Heavy Foot

[Mateo_LeFou]

"Drop Microsoft! Just drop them"

You're actually suggesting there are viable substitutes for Hotmail?!@!?

Anal ogy

[fulldecent]

A piece of software without MSN integration is like a dog without bricks tied around its neck.

Re:Why isn't IM distributed?

[Stradenko]

Thanks for describing XMPP.

Oblig. Simpsons Ref. - 5F11 - Das Bus

[mikelieman]

Back at the peaceful Simpsons house. Homer is reading "Internet for Dummies".

HOMER
Oh, they have the Internet on computers now!

MARGE
Homer, Bill Gates is here.

HOMER
Bill Gates?! Millionaire computer nerd Bill Gates! Oh my god. Oh my god. Get out of sight, Marge. I don't want this to look like a two-bit operation.

Marge groans and rolls her eyes. Bill Gates and two "associates" enter.

GATES
Mr. Simpson?

HOMER
You don't look so rich.

GATES
Don't let the haircut fool you, I am exceedingly wealthy.

HOMER
(quietly to Marge) Get a load of the bowl-job, Marge!

GATES
Your Internet ad was brought to my attention, but I can't figure out what, if anything, CompuGlobalHyperMegaNet does, so rather than risk competing with you, I've decided simply to buy you out.

Homer and Marge step aside to talk privately.

HOMER
This is it Marge. I've poured my heart and soul into this business and now it's finally paying off. (covering his mouth) We're rich! Richer than astronauts.

MARGE
Homer quiet. Acquire the deal.

HOMER
(to Gates) I reluctantly accept your proposal!

GATES
Well everyone always does. Buy 'em out, boys!

Bill Gates companions begin to trash the "office".

HOMER
Hey, what the hell's going on!

GATES
Oh, I didn't get rich by writing a lot of checks!

Bill Gates lets out a maniacal laugh. Homer and Marge cower in the corner as the room continues to be trashed.