Microsoft slapped by courts...

[Jetherik]

The courts have ruled that Microsoft has to pay 850 million to IBM for not playing fairly. Yahoo News (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050701/ap_on_bi_ge/microsoft_ibm) has the full story.

IBM had irked Microsoft in the '90s by pushing its own OS/2 operating system as a Windows alternative and putting its SmartSuite productivity software on IBM PCs, cutting into the market for Microsoft Office programs. IBM also was an early supporter of Java, a programming language that doesn't need Windows to run.

Citing the higher Windows prices and other tactics — such as delaying IBM's Windows 95 license until 15 minutes before the product was launched — Jackson wrote that IBM repeatedly got "discriminatory treatment" from Microsoft.

Microsoft has had to spend billions because of its business practices...

[CapnAJ]

What goes around comes around.

[Azrikam]

Microsoft has had to spend billions because of its business practices...

Microsoft has earned trillions because of its business practices...

Discuss. :D

[Talanvor]

Exactly, this is just going to be filed under an operating cost and no one will care.

[Reanimated]

MS is one of the richest companies in the world thanks to it's business practices, so I'm not sure what kind of point you're trying to make.

Just read Forbes, and it would appear that MS settled this case.

[Deadend]

Microsoft probably will pay, and not care. Money does not matter to them! They want mindshare and to be first on the list. Hell, they have ads for Windows Media Player and Office! Why? Just in case you don't already own it for some reason.

[Expugnare]

OH NO! Gates lost some money!!! :eek:
/sob

[11thfinger]

Microsoft has had to spend billions because of its business practices...

Along with most major corporations. As long as the profit is more than the loss, fines really don't matter.

[superherotaco]

A. Appeals. MS has squirmed out of plenty of other court assessed penalties on appeal. They'll never pay this.

B. MS is the richest company in the world thanks to it's business practices, so I'm not sure what kind of point you're trying to make.

Well the oil companies still beat Microsoft’s net worth hands down. So technically it's not the richest company in the world. Then again, I'm betting the oil companies business practices are much more questionable.

[Oddmaker]

That moneys like pocket money to them.

[Zanzibar]

Bill Gates' couch cushions have provided all the money that MS has lost over the years via legal issues.

[MongolHunter]

Well the oil companies still beat Microsoft’s net worth hands down. So technically it's not the richest company in the world. Then again, I'm betting the oil companies business practices are much more questionable.

Well MS hasn't managed to get a president to start a war for their profits... yet.

[mister_slim]

Well MS hasn't managed to get a president to start a war for their profits... yet.
You must remember, MS has de facto control of the world's largest botnet...

(cut away to Dr. Gates, pinkie touched to the corner of his mouth.)

[XenonCJ]

As if IBM (the small lil' poor abused mom-and-pop computer shop) isn't guilty of exaclty the same behavior.

[Thenetcase]

By the way...
People hate MS because it's successful.
People hate Gates because they can't do what he did and that hurts them.
I think it's weak to hate another person because they are successful. If you could do it, you know you would and you wouldn't give a flying crap about it.

That point aside...
Has anyone noticed that IBM pulls some crap like this every time their revenues come under attack? Notice that the PowerPC chip is no longer going to be used by IBM. Notice IBM making a fuss over MS. Notice IBM gets a bunch of money at a crucial time. Why can't IBM just shut the hell up and die?

-TNC-

[Kyle Jones]

I'm with TNC. People always hate the successful people and look at everything they do under a giant magnifying glass.

Also, IBM should do.

[yutt]

Or maybe people dislike Microsoft due to its history of shady and bullying business practices. Years of crazy hype and delivery of mostly shoddy products. No... that couldn't be it.

Lots of people hate Google for being so successful. Oh wait.

[Himsa II]

IE is great. >___>

[Rommel]

Hell, they have ads for Windows Media Player and Office! Why?'

I haven't figured that out either.

[Kelegacy]

nearly a billion dollars isnt pocket change to anyone. It always hurts, but it isnt the end of the world. I think this would be like me getting my car towed or having to put a new suspension in my car...it's painful but wont exactly put me out on the street, giving handjobs to pay my rent.

[Kyle Jones]

Or maybe people dislike Microsoft due to its history of shady and bullying business practices. Years of crazy hype and delivery of mostly shoddy products. No... that couldn't be it.

Lots of people hate Google for being so successful. Oh wait.

You name a major corporation that isn't involved in some kind of scandel from time to time and I will be mildly impressed.

I hate Google for being so damn awesome.

[Kelegacy]

I'm a Google fanboy. Anyone who still uses Hotmail may as well be driving a horse and buggy down Rodeo Drive.

Now, Google just needs to come out with an OS. That'd be sweet and I'd like to see the mighty squirm THEN!

[Heretic Machine]

Firstly, Google isn't really a Microsoft replacment... Last I checked, they don't have an OS or a game console. That really isn't their business either.

Second, Microsoft > IBM. Fuck IBM, fuck them up their fucking asses. These people would of run industry into the friggin ground if they had things their way.

[Thenetcase]

Or maybe people dislike Microsoft due to its history of shady and bullying business practices. Years of crazy hype and delivery of mostly shoddy products. No... that couldn't be it.

Actually the presupposition that MS makes crappy products is largely incorrect.
MS Makes an OUTSTANDING Operating system. The thing that screws it up is third party drivers and applications. The reason it has the illusion of sucking is because other people's stuff drags it down and causes problems.

Microsoft makes some of the best hardware components on the market as well.

Microsofts bullying practises are a blot on their name. But as someone else pointed out, most companies the size of a small COUNTRY will end up steping on somebodies toes sooner or later.

Also, can you name me one other OWNER/PRESIDENT who's stepped down and taken a lower position so he could enjoy his life better? Gates did that, if you recall.

The problem with MOST anti-MS people is that they absolutely REFUSE to see the great things that MS has done. Why? Because the great things far outweigh the bad things. If they break the law they should pay up. If they don't break the law, they should be applauded.

-TNC-

[Himsa II]

*claps* 8 9 10

[Wonka]

LMAO at TNC's signature. Har thats some funny shit.

[Expugnare]

Actually the presupposition that MS makes crappy products is largely incorrect.
MS Makes an OUTSTANDING Operating system. The thing that screws it up is third party drivers and applications. The reason it has the illusion of sucking is because other people's stuff drags it down and causes problems.

Microsoft makes some of the best hardware components on the market as well.

Microsofts bullying practises are a blot on their name. But as someone else pointed out, most companies the size of a small COUNTRY will end up steping on somebodies toes sooner or later.

Also, can you name me one other OWNER/PRESIDENT who's stepped down and taken a lower position so he could enjoy his life better? Gates did that, if you recall.

The problem with MOST anti-MS people is that they absolutely REFUSE to see the great things that MS has done. Why? Because the great things far outweigh the bad things. If they break the law they should pay up. If they don't break the law, they should be applauded.

-TNC-
THAT is exactly what the thread needed
PS your signature is the best

[Spartan]

I only want Halo 3 to come out on the xbox and then u can do what ever. Halo is the best game ever. oh and L.A.N parties are a great thing as well.But Halo is the reason to get up in the mourning.

[Heretic Machine]

Thank you TNC, for your enlightend post. It's good to know that I'm not the only Microsoft fan out there.