[Bush2000]

First, I mentioned that to show they didn't go after Microsoft because it's an American company.

You didn't prove jackshite. No single European company has been fined as much as MS. And, regardless, the EU has a history of overlooking EU-created monopolies such as Airbus and fining American companies such as Boeing. You can deny that that is the case -- but it's fact.

But let's see, the monopoly desktop OS holder tries to shut out competition by bundling software.

Very clearly, if that was MS's goal, it failed. Ever hear of Apple? RealNetworks? Winamp? There are countless alternatives -- both free and commercial -- for you to argue that consumers have no choice. Those kinds of statements are ridiculous, and you know it.

The monopoly desktop OS holder tries to force its way into the server world by not publishing protocols so its monopoly desktop OS will only work best with its servers, and so that other desktop OSs will not work as well with its servers as its monopoly desktop OS.

The fact of the matter is that Microsoft's desktop monopoly hasn't translated into appreciable server market gains.

Yeah, that's pretty bad.

Only in the petty minds of EU bureaucrats and anti-MS bigots.

The period doesn't matter if that IP was used in an abusive monopoly. The concept of IP was created by the government, and they can yank it for cause

It amounts to a blatant technology grab by Europe. They know that the market for servers is far more lucrative than desktops -- and they're going to do anything they can to wrest it away from Americans.

There are two parts to antitrust prosecutions: fines and remedy. The fines are punishment for what was done. The remedy is to actually fix the damage done by the abused monopoly.

Ah, I see. So opening up server protocols is going to "fix the damage done" by bundling a free media player? Talk about non-sequitors.

You break the law, you pay. You have a problem with that concept?

As applied by the EU, yes, I do have a problem with that. When the EU decides to fine Airbus for illegal and monopolistic trade subsidies, you might have a leg to stand on. Until then, you're selectively and hypocritically twisting the so-called "law" to suit your own purposes.

[antiRepublicrat]

No single European company has been fined as much as MS.

Fines are based on income. Microsoft had the largest single income. Not too hard to understand.

And, regardless, the EU has a history of overlooking EU-created monopolies such as Airbus

You know nothing's illegal if it's the government doing it. Look at Social Security, the world's largest pyramid scheme.

Those kinds of statements are ridiculous, and you know it.

I said tried, not succeeded.

The fact of the matter is that Microsoft's desktop monopoly hasn't translated into appreciable server market gains.

Oh yes it has. Microsoft had almost no server marketshare in the mid 90s, and now it's pretty big.

They know that the market for servers is far more lucrative than desktops -- and they're going to do anything they can to wrest it away from Americans.

And give it to other American companies like IBM and Red Hat? Stupid comment.

Ah, I see. So opening up server protocols is going to "fix the damage done" by bundling a free media player? Talk about non-sequitors.

Yeah, that was a big one. You're mixing the two different complaints and two different remedies.

Until then, you're selectively and hypocritically twisting the so-called "law" to suit your own purposes.

You're mixing two laws. Airbus is anti-trust and fair competition. The protocols are IP law.