European competition watchdog fines Microsoft $733M

[DarkTower87]

The European Union has fined Microsoft €561 million ($733 million) for breaking a pledge to offer personal computer users a choice of Internet browsers when they install the company’s flagship Windows operating system. The penalty imposed by the EU’s executive arm, the Commission, is a first for Brussels: no company has ever failed to keep its end of a bargain with EU authorities before.

Source:http://www.washingtonpost.com/busine...76f_story.html

[Urbanfox]

Stuff like this is just plain stupid.

[Maniac]

Why should these governments have any right to tell Microsoft they have to offer a browser choice? Keep out of the private sector.

[Urbanfox]

Because the EU is quite liberal.

[Maniac]

Originally Posted by Urbanfox

Because the EU is quite communist.

Fixed

[N64link]

Originally Posted by Maniac

Fixed

Same side of the spectrum just different levels.

[maxgull]

$733 million? What is that? A threat?

They did $6 billion+ in sales in a fiscal QUARTER.

This is like me having to give up the cup I have on my dresser full of pennies and pocket lint.

[jimh425]

It just seems like fundraising. It's not like Microsoft is dominating the browser wars like they used to.

[maxgull]

Originally Posted by jimh425

It just seems like fundraising. It's not like Microsoft is dominating the browser wars like they used to.

Whadda ya mean? IE10 is out.

[Urbanfox]

Originally Posted by maxgull

$733 million? What is that? A threat?

They did $6 billion+ in sales in a fiscal QUARTER.

This is like me having to give up the cup I have on my dresser full of pennies and pocket lint.

That's still a giant chunk of money... Are you kidding?

[Maniac]

I agree, 6 billion in sales is not 6 billion in profit, $733 is more than 10% of their sales, that's huge! I wonder how that compares to their profit margin.

[Clone of 501]

The EU loves to fill the headlines every few year with massive fines against some US company. $700 million is a ridiculous sum.

[DarkTower87]

Perhaps that's they're plan to get out of debt.

[daytona]

Maybe this sounds dumb but what power does EU have over an American Based company, I am sure they have some offices etc in EU. Would the US force MS to comply?

If they told them to go pound sand what are they going to do ban Windows sales? ha That would be like banning oil based gasoline are there alternatives yes but they suck and haven't caught on.

Even if they did ban there would be a giant illegal market for Windows license imports which would be uncontrollable.

[Urbanfox]

Originally Posted by daytona

Maybe this sounds dumb but what power does EU have over an American Based company, I am sure they have some offices etc in EU. Would the US force MS to comply?

If they told them to go pound sand what are they going to do ban Windows sales? ha That would be like banning oil based gasoline are there alternatives yes but they suck and haven't caught on.

Even if they did ban there would be a giant illegal market for Windows license imports which would be uncontrollable.

In a nutshell, eventually, yes.

But, why would M$ risk more fines and horrible PR?

[Clone of 501]

Originally Posted by DarkTower87

Perhaps that's they're plan to get out of debt.

They'd probably run out of companies to fine before they get there.

[maxgull]

Is there an appeal process in the Communist Territories? If so, M$ will use it to its full extent.

[ORL]

This is friggin killing me. Dear EU... Get stuffed if you think you can march on a US business. If you do not want to use IE install something else. Its that simple.