“A lot of the harsher reaction to Judge Thomas Penfield
Jackson’s finding that Microsoft is, in fact, an abusive monopoly
can be summarized this way: “OK, maybe Microsoft does have a
monopoly in the very narrowly defined market for PC operating
systems. But, really, with the possible exception of Be Inc. or
Digital Research Inc., who did it hurt? Consumers certainly haven’t
been harmed by Microsoft’s monopoly power and business practices.”
Or something like that.”
“But I think there’s plenty of evidence that Microsoft’s
monopoly power and predatory business practices have directly
harmed individual and corporate PC consumers — not just ISV
competitors — in many ways….”
“Standards. Microsoft has repeatedly demonstrated its
willingness to use its market power to thwart the rapid definition
and adoption of industry standards that the company sees as
threatening its interests. Java, CORBA … the list of standards
Microsoft has tried to kill or control is long.“