Microsoft, running scared

[Frederick Noronha <fred@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Listowner, pls repost this to your mailing list. FN

MICROSOFT, RUNNING SCARED
Issue: Anti-Trust
The government argues Microsoft has a monopoly because most personal computers
use Windows. But then why are software developers rushing to write
applications
for Linux, an upstart operating system with about 15 million users? And why
hasn't Microsoft sought higher prices? The government says that Microsoft
charged less to computer makers that helped persuade their customers to use
Microsoft products and rewarded companies that helped with distribution. This
is true. It is also legal; ask the cereal company that pays supermarkets to
display its Frootios on shelves near the checkout counter. The government also
complains that Microsoft forced computer makers to install Windows without
major changes -- just as Ford would prevent car dealers from clipping off the
tail off the Mustang pony insignia. Since the trial began, the government has
no doubt shown that Microsoft has had very bad manners. But it certainly
hasn't
proved that Microsoft violated the antitrust laws by harming consumers. It's
time for the antitrust division to give up yet another misguided effort to
micromanage the fast-moving information-technology business.
[SOURCE: New York Times (A21), AUTHOR: Ronald A. Cass (Dean of Boston
University School of Law and Microsoft Consultant)]
(http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/oped/28cass.html)


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