RSSTime Running Out on MS-EU Deal
By Ed Oswald | Published May 23, 2005, 1:06 PM
Microsoft has until the end of this month to comply with the European Commission's 2004 anti-trust ruling or face sanctions, a spokesman said on Monday. The EU has threatened to fine the company up to 5 percent of its daily global sales if it does not comply, and says that time is running out.
"We will take stock after the end of the month," EU Commission spokesman Jonathan Todd said. He refused however to say at what stage the talks were at, or if the EU will actually go through with fining Microsoft, only telling the Associated Press that "contacts were continuing."
It appears as if the problem revolves around Microsoft's reluctance to share its source code to allow third-party access and ensure better compatibility with its server products. Also at issue is the belief of the EU Commission that the company's version of Windows without Media Player is not up to the standards that they have set.
Under European Commission policies, it has the right to fine a company up to five percent of its daily turnover if it deems a company is not following its orders. Last year, the EU fined Microsoft $497 million, and demanded a version of Windows XP be released without its bundled media player.
Although time may be running out, it appears as if the Commission may still have some patience to work with Microsoft. According to competition chief Neelie Kroes, the two parties made an agreement to strike a deal before the end of the month, and all the Commission is waiting for it for is "the Microsoft people to do their homework."
The EU is hypocritical... They bemoan MS alleged violations of monopoly laws, yet allow one of the most ruthless monopolies to thrive there... ever heard of DeBeers?
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|If MS doesnt meet the demands in time, its because it's worth the money. Yeah and in case you missed the last 25 or so betanews articles involving EU and MS I think EU is full of $hit.
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|I couldn't agree more. They do *nothing* for EU citizens like me. If I was Microsoft I'd just pull out of the EU for a bit, that'd really shut them up once and for all...
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|... I see that reading the "BetaNews" articles works well for you to get a comment of this caliber posted.
Did you read the actual findings of the Commision (perhaps having MS and EU words will increase your comment's depth)?
I think the EU is taking a step never experienced before, however, we cannot skip the fact that this is a fight between a corporation (revenue driven) vs. the EU (world positioning driven). The EU should take their words to the next level and let the consequences teach us on who will be who on this world: either we get action based goverments or we get corporate ruling beyond compare.
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|LOL I love these "just pull out of the EU" comments!
That's like a bank robber saying that they will just stop driving by banks. :-P
A murderer saying he won't shop in the housing goods section?
Remember, like it or not they were found guilty. They can't just take their ball and go home with it as that is both bad for business and illegal in itself. ;-)
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|Get a fricken clue pal, because right now you have NO idea what your talking about.
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|Another clueless one!
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|I would pull out and let them come up with their own operating system. (Like they could) and put the EU at a stand still. Then wait and see what their attitude is then.
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|Anybody who doesn't want a Microsoft media player can disable it, use Windows 95, 98 or 2000 none of which are packaged with this feature. There is no media player in Windows XP embedded either.
Let the EU develop their own solution instead of complain and sue everybody.
These hypocrites crusade for World-wide gun control; while unloading a constant deluge of imported firearms on the US markets. Some stores continue to sell vintage Nazi war souvenirs and rifles with England's BSA motorcyle logo on them.
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|Ah, those OSes are no longer (or will shortly be) supported by Microsoft, so switching to one of those is not an option. XP does come bundled with Media Player, don't know what you're talking about there, and further more it can't easily be removed (just like IE can't be easily removed).
The EU has a case, but the Microsoft zealots aren't sure they're doing it the right way.
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|clueless eh? sounds like a great plan, why don't they do it?
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|Possibly because they would rather argue with these schmucks at the EU than give up the entire EU to Linux. Which in my opinion the EU would be much better off with out MS and their monopolistic ways. As soon as I get all these games of mine to work in linux, i'm abandoning MS and all their BS.
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|How did Nazi's get in this? Leave them out of this! I like the idea of flat out pulling out of the EU, average computer guy does not know how to "switch" to Linux much less what the switch even means!
If they did that people would be mad at the EU for making Microsoft leave in the first place. Wonder how long their authority in computer anything would last then.
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|If they pull out of EU then can EU simply tear Microsofts EULA to pieces and declare it free within EU.
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|all this makes me wish my country was part of the EU.
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|How am I clueless? I'm not the one posting that they should pull out of the EU, you are.
They are bound by international law, as well as the regional laws of both the USA and the EU.
I'm waiting.
I should also mention that they are a public company. If Balmer even mentioned it as a joke he would be looking for a new job.
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|That's one of the many things they can do. They could also confiscate all of their assets, and their source code completely inhibiting their ability to do business anywhere in the world.
They can't just pull out of the EU, they must comply.
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|Then move!
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|You're right, they will have to comply. However, the statement that they cant just pull out is not entirely accurate. They will comply (under much protest) but they will comply. After complying though, they will be in the clear as far as legallities. Which means at this point they can pull out at anytime. If the see it as a good move.
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