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EU Antitrust Head to Meet with Ballmer

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

September 30, 2005, 12:04 PM

Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer is scheduled to meet with European Commission competition chief Neelie Kroes next week, her spokesperson confirmed to the press on Friday. While the exact topic of the Wednesday morning meeting is not known, the EU had received complaints that possibly could lead to a new case against the software giant. Last year, Microsoft was forced to pay 497 million euros for antitrust violations.

A spokesperson for Microsoft played down the meeting's significance, saying it was a routine meeting to discuss policy issues with the organization. The discussion was not requested by Kroes, however; Ballmer is on a business trip and had requested a meeting with her while in Europe. Ballmer is also scheduled to meet Siim Kallas, EU administration head.

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By robertodecorazon

posted Oct 3, 2005 - 5:31 AM

The desire to monopolize by microsoft is a normal state of affairs of any company in its place, however, microsoft must understand that de effect of monopolies creates a situation where consumers have to pay higher prices for a product that in some countries cost more than the hardware itself. If you wish to monopolise any part of any market you must give way to innovation because without it that product that you wish to monopolise cease to attract consumers. Now that open source sopported by companies such as IBM, Novell, Sun and other is making possible to produce good or better product that microsoft itself. The greed to monopolised in order to make greater proits and greater dominance in a market will become its own doom. You can not stop the desire for consumrs to have a choice specialy if that choice is cheaper and better. The European Commission know this.Courts are never the answer because all they do is create more state intervention on the net. We all are going to be loosers out that fight unless reason prevails that is live and let live.

Score: 0

By Maxwolf

posted Oct 3, 2005 - 9:08 AM

I am confused...are you a hater?

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Oct 3, 2005 - 9:13 AM

Why do you people have to assume everyone with an opinion is a hater?

Score: 0

By ogman

posted Oct 3, 2005 - 11:43 AM

Cuz they're haters, too. They just use the term first and stake out the ground. It's a trick, kinda like calling someone a flip-flopper. Nothing more than a way for stupid people to try to look resolute (since they can't look smart).

Score: 0

By fewt

edited Oct 3, 2005 - 12:00 PM

Agreed, exception being that the hatred is one sided which is why instead of arguing one needs to consistantly call them out on it.

The only haters seem to be the ones pointing the finger and calling people haters. ;-)

Score: 0

By ogman

posted Oct 2, 2005 - 8:06 AM

Watch for flying chairs!

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Oct 2, 2005 - 8:15 AM

/ducks

Score: 0

By boner24

edited Sep 30, 2005 - 10:40 PM

Frankly, in pursuing Microsoft in the courts for its anti-competitive practices, the EU hasn't gone far enough in my heavily biased opinion.

Microsoft have, for far too long, been abusing their virtual monopoly of the operating system and office software market to foist sloppy, sub-standard product onto a market which has little alternative but to buy in.

Witness the neverending slew of security updates to fix critical issues, not to mention the often huge delay between disclosure and a solution, and you begin to realise how complacent and inadequate a company Microsoft have become.

Here is a predatory, parasitic company that systematically destroys markets for third party products by increasing the scope and reach of its operating system and applications therein, something it presumably sees as value added content.

When Microsoft gains a stranglehold on a given segment, witness the stagnation. You only have to look at Internet Explorer to know that monopolies do *not* promote innovation.

The more the EU do to enforce the message (through punitive fines and modification demands if necessary) that Microsoft have responsibilities to their consumers, and not solely their shareholders, the better everyone will be, with the possible exception of Microsoft and their shareholders.

I for one welcome the EU's intervention, especially in light of the pathetic failure on the part of the Dept. of Justice to bring Bill & co to book for flagrant abuses.

Score: 0

By Maxwolf

posted Oct 3, 2005 - 9:06 AM

You could have just said count you out for the Windows party...

Score: 0

By Maxwolf

posted Sep 30, 2005 - 2:12 PM

Since nobody else will I am going to take a stab at it...

The EU Sucks

Mainly because I have this gut feeling that none of them knows anything about a computer other than your basic point and click interface.

Not to mention they are reaching across the pond with those demands of theirs. If you ask me I am sure this EU has much better things to do than bother a Western company and threaten them with nasty letters and fines.

Once again, shove off EU

Score: 0

By kronix2

posted Oct 3, 2005 - 9:53 AM

"Not to mention they are reaching across the pond with those demands of theirs."

Actually, no. Any ruling the EU makes will only apply to Microsoft's business practices in Europe. The WMP-free edition of XP, for example, is only required to be sold in the EU.

"I have this gut feeling that none of them knows anything about a computer other than your basic point and click interface."

How is the judiciary, legislature and executive any different in America? Last time I checked, politicians, judges and lawmakers were chronically retarded when it came to matters of technology. At least the EU is doing something.

Score: 0

By beta_animal

posted Sep 30, 2005 - 6:04 PM

The EU has nothing better to do than bother a Western country....? Generally, Europe is referred to as Western too!

But I'll agree with you here... why the hell should the EU fine microsoft because they bundle Media Player with their computers!?!? And if that's the logic, why aren't Apple sued because Macs come pre-loaded with iTunes?

Did add a fair bit to the EU budget tho! ;o)

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Sep 30, 2005 - 8:15 PM

Even better, why shouldn't they?

Score: 0

By Maxwolf

posted Oct 3, 2005 - 9:04 AM

Because I thought that group of talking heads seriously had better things to do like help people in their own country, perhaps?

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Oct 3, 2005 - 9:12 AM

Sounds like they ARE helping them. ;-)

Score: 0

By Cool-Gui

posted Oct 1, 2005 - 2:09 PM

Why shouldn't they fine every company that has a little bit of cash in the bank? ;)

Score: 0

By fewt

edited Oct 1, 2005 - 8:52 PM

EDIT: DOH, read that wrong.

They should fine every company that's been found guilty of any crime civil or otherwise.

Score: 0

By ogman

posted Oct 2, 2005 - 8:08 AM

Agreed....nothing works better than hitting them on the bottom line. Jailing crooked executives seems to have a nice effect, too.

Score: 0

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