Europe Taking on Microsoft?

AP: EU Alleges Microsoft Abuses
. Backed by new evidence, the European Union on Wednesday accused Microsoft Corp. of trying to monopolize markets for server software and audiovisual players and gave the U.S. giant a last chance to defend itself before demanding changes in its Windows operating system.

It probably won’t matter. Microsoft can use the legal system there the same way it’s used the system here — fight like hell, delay wherever possible and stall when the inevitable settlement is written. And then, of course, fail to honor the terms of the settlement, forcing the legal system to step in again. So by the time any serious action is undertaken, it’s too late.

Worked pretty well in the U.S., except that Microsoft got the government itself to change sides. Let’s see, $50 billion in cash, and counting, and more power than ever in its monopoly markets, plus real (if not yet appreciated) inroads into vital new markets.

Thanks to our amazingly short attention span, Americans are bored with the Microsoft story, another great advantage for the serial lawbreaker. Well, guess what? The boys in Redmond aren’t bored with pursuing their control over choke points of tomorrow’s commerce and communications. They’re working hard, as aways, and making serious progress. By the time people notice again, it may be too late.

Comments