Breaking News: Microsoft Loses Bid To Stay EC Order; Windows Will Be Unbundled in Europe
In a 91-page ruling, the president of the Court of First Instance in Luxembourg this morning rejected Microsoft's request to stay the European Commission's March 2004 antitrust remedies requiring it to offer European OEMs a version of Windows XP without the Windows Media Player in it and to license certain protocols to its competitors that would let non-Microsoft workgroup servers interoperate with Windows PCs. Microsoft said it will make the stripped-out version of Windows available to European OEMs in January and put it through the channel by February.
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#5
DustyMac commented on 3 Jan 2005
If the price of the two versions of Windows is identical, what is the incentive for any manufacturer to sell PCs with the stripped version? This will do nothing to stop WMP from becomming ubiquitous. It is only Microsoft complying with the letter of the law and flaunting the spirit of it: SNAFU.
#4
Jens Wiig commented on 22 Dec 2004
This decision will have no effect on the normal user.He or she will just download and install Windows Media Player whenever they need to use it.
#3
UltimaGuy commented on 22 Dec 2004
I will say what will happen from this ruling !!! NOTHING !!!!! MS will just go on and appeal with the EU, while it will try to start and settle this matter out of court, and then will continue its businees practices as usual. Note that any company/organisation that are/were suing MS are nowadays quickly settling out of court or else the case is being dragged till it is settled out of court ;-)
#2
william_die commented on 22 Dec 2004
From the perspective of a person who uses a windows based computer at work, I am worried if windows media player is removed.
The music player is one piece of software that most businesses do not consider a necessity, and if one is not installed chances are they will not install an alternative.
However I don't think this portion will have much effect. Microsoft will say it does not cost that much to include it and point to other free players as an indication of cost. So you will have a choice of windows with or without and the price will not be that different.
#1
an00n commented on 22 Dec 2004
Apple sells OSX in one box for $125 and iLife (five apps) in another for $50. MS should do the same... sell a streamlined OS in one box and all the extras in another, available by download for those with fast network connections. Until Office becomes a monopoly, maybe MS could move WiMP and other non-essential Windows junk into Office or Works. Just an idea.
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