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Sargent Duck |
What does the EU hope to accomplish. Perhaps my inexperience is showing through, but if MS sells a severly castrated version, what's to stop Europeans from going to an American vendor, and buying the North American version? Or calling up a friend in North America. Or, even more likely, pirating the North American edition.
Is the EU purposly trying to increase piracy?  |
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stmok |
Hmmm...
(1) Commission takes Legal action against Microsoft. (anti-trust)...Usually results in MS being guilty or fined. Further action will be taken against them if they persist with this behaviour. (2) MS conducts its campaign of nonsense. (Empty threats and BS). Examples... (a) MS plans to reform itself...(Really a bunch of baloney.) Don't you folks remember their "12 self-imposed commitments"? * Installation of any software * Easy access for software makers * Defaults for non-Microsoft programs * Exclusive promotion of non-Microsoft programs * Business terms (no retaliation against PC makers that support non-Microsoft software) * Disclosure of APIs * Freedom of choice in Internet services * Open Internet access in Windows * No exclusivity in middleware contracts * Availability of communications protocols * Availability of Microsoft patents * Support for industry standards (b) Threatens to withdraw from that country or region. Korea's case back in 2005. http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=1261190 http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/10/28/business/windows.php Although I'm not sure if MS officially threatened to withdraw from Europe or if that's just rumours or opinion floating around. (c) MS claims this will cause delays to Vista. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/09/07/windows_vista_ec_delay/ (d) MS asks US Govt for help. (Tell the Commissions to "be nice to Microsoft"). http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/09/26/microsoft_eu_political_lobb... (They also did this in the Korean case!) (e) MS sponsors a whitepaper written by IDC called "The Economic Impact of Microsoft Windows Vista". It explains how Europe would be better off with Vista. (New jobs created for the local market, etc)...Basically, BS/FUD to get the politicians to stand against the Commission. (f) Pulls out the "Security Card". http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060912-7717.html By the way, this is a great card to pull...Whether its an anti-trust case OR "encouraging" people to migrate to a newer Windows version. (3) Time goes by. Because these trials go for ages... (4) Microsoft says its all Ok now. (Despite the Commission saying: "Wow! Hold your horses! We haven't OK'ed anything yet"). Reality? Vista wasn't gonna get delayed in the first place! Why? Its not an option for them! See the numbers in Cyril Kowaliski's Blog. http://techreport.com/onearticle.x/10838 (I do agree on the part where the EC shouldn't have bother with the strip down "Media Player free version of XP". Getting them to open up their specs is more important). I see through MS's nonsense and games. Its getting old and tiresome. Its too bad not many see it as well. |
Incidentally, the EU already has more people than america, and it's growing, so not a market any company can ignore really.