<OT> A bad day in Redmond

[David A. Bandel]

On 9/19/07, Joel Hammer <joel at hammershome.com> wrote:
> On Wed, Sep 19, 2007 at 07:56:49AM -0700, Tony Alfrey wrote:
> > Lonni J Friedman wrote:
> > <snip>
> > >
> > >Have any European companies been convicted for monopolistic practices?
> > >
> > I think the response of the European Commission and the court was driven
> > at least partly by Microsoft having agreed to comply with an agreement
> > reached between the Commission and Microsoft, but then blowing off the
> > agreement.  I think that there may be a perception amongst some
> > Europeans that large American institutions simply blast along and do
> > whatever they want without taking others into consideration.  That
> > certainly fits Microsoft.  I think some large European companies that
> > own half of Europe (Alcatel, Thomson, etc) perhaps are a little smarter
> > in this regard and play the game, which is at least 75% politics, a
>
> So, basically, the ans. is no.
>
> This is why MS got sued in this country some years ago,
> IMHO. MS rivals were much more generous to our politicians,
> thus MS got whacked by the dept of justice. MS had made a
> point of avoiding politics, from what I read. I also got
> the impression, after the trial, that MS was not going to
> neglect this aspect of their business again, ie, greasing
> the palms of politicians. Does anybody know if this is
> so, that is, is MS now an active $$ contributor to our
> political circus?
>

M$ is one of the smallest corporations with the biggest political
presence in Washington.  Their lobbying effort dwarfs that of many
larger companies.  Google on it and there's a site that compares
congressional lobbies (who they are, etc.).

Ciao,

David A. Bandel
-- 
Focus on the dream, not the competition.
            - Nemesis Air Racing Team motto