Russia Launches Anti-trust Probe of Microsoft 221
NewYorkCountryLawyer writes "Russia's state anti-monopoly service said on Thursday it had launched a probe of Microsoft over cutbacks in supplies of its Windows XP operating system in Russia.
The agency said it thought Microsoft had violated antimonopoly legislation by cutting delivery of Windows XP operating system to Russia both separately and pre-installed on personal computers, as well as in its pricing policy on the product.
It said it would consider the case on July 24, 2009."
Re:That's Pretty Funny... (Score:5, Informative)
Well, Chutzpah is a word derived from hebrew [wikipedia.org]. The best english equivalent is "audacity", and it comes out as this [rustran.com]. You can translate it here [imtranslator.net] and hear what it sounds like.
(Too bad Slashdot will inevitably mess up any attempt at a foreign language. The word comes out like this: "ÑмÐÐоÑÑÑOE")
Waiting for bribes (Score:5, Informative)
If you're referring to EU fines...they are absolutely insignificant pocket change for EU budget; they wouldn't even make a difference to most of its individual memberstates.
In this case the amount of money would be similarly insignificant when it comes to contribution to Russian budget. OTOH...there are certianly few individuals who could forget the whole deal for some favours. That's how things work in post-soviet countries.
In anycase, the claims are bogus, almost everybody runs pirated software in Russia.
Re:Anti-monopoly? (Score:5, Informative)
Because Russia's Federal Anti-monopoly Service (FAS) has broad powers that go far beyond regulating monopolies. For example, FAS are also responsible for regulating advertisements, foreign investments, government purchases, etc.
IMHO, the Service's name is a bit of a misnomer; it should have been called something like the "Federal Economic Regulatory Service".
Re:No rule of law in Russia (Score:1, Informative)
I have visited Russia many times. Might makes right. It is a system that breathes on graft and corruption.
And just how is this unlike how MS operates on a day-to-day basis?
If you're going to slam the Russians for playing the same game MS does then you need to be just as critical of MS and its policies.
Re:NYCL? (Score:3, Informative)
We didn't know you had interests other than fighting the RIAA?
Well as you know my professional life is largely about fighting for the good guys, against the bad guys. This story comes as a welcome relief from my normal activities.
Microsoft v. Russia?
This is rich.
Re:That's Pretty Funny... (Score:5, Informative)
Yiddish, actually.
A better equvialent is "nervy gall".
Chutzpah is when you murder your parents, and then throw yourself on the mercy of the court because you're an orphan.
Re:Thanks Europe (Score:3, Informative)
It appears you have no idea what you're talking about.
So...again:
a) those money are pocket change to EU budget
b) EU primarily fines...European companies! Do you suggest "multinationals" should be given some slack?
Re:That's Pretty Funny... (Score:4, Informative)
"Chutzpah" is better translated as "naglost'", definitely not "smelost'" ("bravery").
Re:What about Gazprom? (Score:4, Informative)
No one forces you to stop using 1960s muscle cars. If you owned one, you can continue to own it forever. You can also legally maintain and service it, and it is compatible with still-available fuels.
... snip ...
Taking away XP is a little different. Whole countries rely on Windows to function.
How so?
No one forces you to stop using Windows XP. If you owned XP, you can continue to own XP forever. You can also legally maintain and service it, and it is compatible with still-available software.
Re:Russia is cracking down on piracy, Linux spread (Score:3, Informative)
It's "Academy [of Sciences] town" in Russian.