Microsoft must share code with rivals. Quote from the piece at My Way News:
LUXEMBOURG (AP) - Microsoft lost its appeal of a European antitrust order Monday that obliges the technology giant to share communications code with rivals, sell a copy of Windows without Media Player and pay a $613 million fine - the largest ever by EU regulators.
The EU Court of First Instance ruled against Microsoft on both parts of the case, saying the European Commission was correct in concluding that Microsoft was guilty of monopoly abuse in trying to use its power over desktop computers to muscle into server software.
It also said regulators had clearly demonstrated that selling media software with Windows had damaged rivals.
"The court observes that it is beyond dispute that in consequence of the tying consumers are unable to acquire the Windows operating system without simultaneously acquiring Windows Media Player," it said.
"In that regard, the court considers that neither the fact that Microsoft does not charge a separate price for Windows Media Player nor the fact that consumers are not obliged to use that Media Player is irrelevant."
A law professor of mine defined antitrust law as a horse race in which it was compulsory to compete, but illegal to win. Microsoft is guilty of succeeding while American. The interesting thing about this anti-American case, however, is the precedent it sets. Microsoft was found guilty of giving something away that a European wanted to charge for. Sears should now be able to sue Mercedes saying that the free batteries it includes with new cars hurt Sears’ ability to sell batteries to new car buyers. Japanese car radio manufacturers should be able to do the same.
