[ILUG] Commission concludes on Microsoft investigation, imposes conduct remedies and a fine

[Chris Higgins]

http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=gt&doc=IP/04/382%7C0%7CRAPID&lg=en&display=

Apols for the long link :-)

There seems to be a lot of hype about the size of the fine attributed to
MS ( 492m yo-yo's ), and most other news stories are picking up on the
requirement for Microsoft to offer a non media player version of 
Windows to manufacturers inside 90 days.

None of the headlines seem to have picked up on the other remedy, 
which seems to be the one that the EU have selected as the key
to preventing the continued abuse by MS of it's dominant position.

"
As regards interoperability, Microsoft is required, 
within 120 days, to disclose complete and accurate
interface documentation which would allow non-Microsoft
work group servers to achieve full interoperability with
Windows PCs and servers. This will enable rival vendors
to develop products that can compete on a level playing
field in the work group server operating system market.
The disclosed information will have to be updated each
time Microsoft brings to the market new versions of its
relevant products.
"

This ( to my mind ) is the reason for having a pint tonite.
This is also clearly the reason why MS seemed happy to
take the remedial action hit on Media player, and 
on the fine, but weren't willing to settle on the
"longer term future protection" stuff.

To my mind, it seems to be a fair and reasonable request,
and indeed is something that the open source community
has been vocal about in relation to hardware vendors for
years. 

Is it appropriate for ilug to go chase press-contacts
and get a press release out there, commenting on 
how this is good for the industry - because no doubt
that MS will be using the 'no media player, bad for
consumers' play to fudge the issue when they do get
asked about it by the media.... 

It provides for other organisations to compete fairly
with Microsoft, it doesn't inhibit Microsoft's abilities
to compete or expand technologies - it just prevents them
from abusing their position to exclude others from
the market. 

IANAL - but I can't see any reason for a judge to
suspend the remedial actions pending the appeal. 
Especially as MS have claimed that this will take
years, and the actions of MS have shown them to
be in violation of, and continuing to violate
EU legislation.

Rgds,
Chris

--

Chris Higgins                              Cisco Learning Partner
Darach Technology Ltd                      tel: +353-1-6204370
email: chris.higgins at darach.ie          fax: +353-1-6204371
http://www.darach.ie