Didn't anyone commenting on this actually read upon anything relating to the fine before they started commenting? :huh:
Microsoft is not being fined for anti-competitive behavior, they are being fined for breaking an agreement they made with the EU that Microsoft themselves proposed so they would no longer be under the scrutiny of the EU.
or in other words
1) After complaints from companies in the early 00's the EU starts looking into anti-competitive behavior on Microsoft's part. Note that eh EU ACU cannot start an investigation unless it receives a complaint, it is not a political unit but a legal one.
2) Rather than facing a longer process and possible fines Microsoft makes an offer to the EU that they will set up a browser ballot in their operating systems shipped in Europe and by doing that they escape any potential actions from the EU anti-competition authorities.
3) For 14 months the company breached the contract.
4) The EU commission fines the company for a breach of contract, this is not a political move, they have to, by law.
5) Lots of whiners on some bulletin board moan about people in other countries actually fining good ol American companies, stupid foreigners do not understand technology, etc.
I presume when companies breach other contracts such as the ones they make with you, you are all fine with that ?
How about drug dealers not living up to plea bargains, that OK too?
