Microsoft caught red-handed
p2p news / p2pnet: The US Department of Justice recently said an attempt by Bill and the Boyz to force punters to go Microsoft, and only Microsoft, was “unfortunate,” but decided against legal action.
Microsoft had wanted to tell manufacturers of portable audio devices they couldn’t distribute rival music player software and now, “In a rare display of indignation, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly demanded an explanation from Microsoft’s lawyers and told them, “This should not be happening,” says the Associated Press, going on:
“Legal and industry experts said Microsoft’s demands probably would have violated a landmark antitrust settlement the same judge approved in 2002 between the company and the Bush administration. The government and Microsoft disclosed details of the dispute in a court document last week.
“The judge said Microsoft’s music-player proposal – even though it was abandoned 10 days later – ‘maybe indicates a chink in the compliance process.’ She made her remarks during a previously scheduled court hearing to review the adequacy of the settlement.”
Microsoft’s attempt at remote consumer control came to light in a federal court filing.
However, perish the thought that Microsoft itself had anything to do with the travesty.
Rather, it was down to a “newly hired, ‘lower-level business person’,” AP has Microsoft lawyer Charles ‘Rick’ Rule declaring.
“This is an issue that Microsoft is concerned showed up,” he said, adding that Microsoft regrets the proposal ever was sent to music-player manufacturers and that the company was “looking at it to make sure this is a lesson learned.”
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See:-
only Microsoft – Microsoft drops music plan, October 21, 2005
Associated Press – Microsoft chided over exclusive music idea, October 27, 2005
October 27th, 2005 at 4:31 pm
Next Target Apple and iTunes
October 28th, 2005 at 5:38 am
I’d have kept my mouth shut, let them try it, and then go to the Department of Justice. Oh, and all those folks with iPods? You’d see either linux support or OS X for generic x86 crop up almost immediately.
Shit like that would kill Mr. Tigerbeat and his Microshaft. I’m sorry but you have to even give sheeple a little bit of credit.
October 30th, 2005 at 1:25 am
What? So Microsoft got away with this clean and sweet? What kind of oversight is this? They should have been fined a couple of billion dollars. THAT is how you get their attention. The consent decree is NOT being enforced. Blame it on Dubya!