From: Byron S. Pruitt (spruitt@swbell.net)
Date: Mon Oct 20 1997 - 14:48:01 MDT
As if I needed another reason, but today's DOJ announcement of a $1 million a day fine levied against Microsoft for antitrust violations is a great reason for voting Libertarian. I have only seen the Nando News story which I have snipped the following:
"This is a very serious abuse," said Assistant Attorney General Joel I. Klein, head of the antitrust division. He said Microsoft's action was designed to undermine the dominant market position of Netscape.
Internet browsers are important, Klein said, because they "could erode Microsoft's operating system monopoly" in the Windows operating system. "This kind of product forcing is an abuse of monopoly power and we seek to put an end to it."
The Justice Department objected to Microsoft's requirement that computer manufacturers who want to license the Windows 95 operating system also license its internet browser, known as Internet Explorer. Most personal computer makers install Windows 95 at the factory.
Klein said, "These are two different products." He said they should be sold as two separate products and denied the government is taking sides in the battle for market share between Microsoft and Netscape, whose browser is known as Navigator.
"Each of Microsoft's products should compete on its own merits," Klein said.
Microsoft's new browser software blurs the line between personal computers and the Internet. By working closely with Microsoft's Windows 95 operating software, Internet Explorer lets people easily point and click between desktop files and Web sites.
"Anyone can give away a browser, but no one can force it onto a computer desktop unless you have monopoly power," Klein said. Antitrust law does not bar monopolies achieved by a company's talent and ingenuity, but does prevent abuse of that monopoly."
If this is not a bias intervention, then what is? Love Microsoft, or hate it. But, I cannot see how this action is justified. How can someone like Klein determine when something is done through "talent and ingenuity" or "abuse." I have been using I.E. 4.0 since its early beta, and personally, I would say it errs more on the side of "talent and ingenuity." Even more insidious, in my opinion, is someone in the DOJ determining what is and what isn't an OS component.
Regards,
sp
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Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
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