Interesting news item I found

[DethKnight]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/businessstorydisplay.cfm?storyID=3556690&thesection=business&thesubsection=technology&thesecondsubsection=information

[IonDeluxe]

I think a more useful fine would be a "tax" of 15% on all thier products and licensing for a period of 10 years, 2/3rds of which goes into a fund for development of competing products.
That might actually hurt them.
Another thing that would do the trick is a ban on any sale or collection of license fees in the EU for a period of 1 year  to "allow the competition to regain the ground they have lost due to such unfair trade practices" gotta love a bit of poetic justice.Or is that ironic justice?

[Jettah]

Hi,

Some time ago I read an article by a German econometrist stating that in history of economics there has never been a case for a monopolist to stay in business for more than 15 years. How many years does M$ hold to that position already? Deduct that from 15 and you'll see that it is just a matter of a couple of years before it collapses. The fine imposed upon M$ is just a threat. Finally all will be settled for a much lower price, in the meantime providing M$ some leaway to alter their business plans.

Don't worry too much. Just worry about what we'll have to endure next...

Regards,

Tjitte

[Jettah]

Hi,

Some time ago I read an article by a German econometrist stating that in history of economics there has never been a case for a monopolist to stay in business for more than 15 years. How many years does M$ hold to that position already? Deduct that from 15 and you'll see that it is just a matter of a couple of years before it collapses. The fine imposed upon M$ is just a threat. Finally all will be settled for a much lower price, in the meantime providing M$ some leaway to alter their business plans.

Don't worry too much. Just worry about what we'll have to endure next...

Regards,

Tjitte