10.01.07
US Justice Department Criticised by American Antitrust Institute After Pro-Microsoft Foul Play
Just when you think that all hope for justice is lost…
It is nice to see that the regulatory structures in the United States are at least able to identify and scrutinise one another when monopoly abuse is seen as acceptable.
The AAI comments on the European Court of First Instance’s upholding of the EC’s Microsoft decision, taking the USDOJ to task for poor diplomacy and mistaken policy in its criticism of the EC.
For those who are not aware, the Department of Justice appears to be deep in Microsoft’s pocket (c/f links below). This can be seen not only in Europe’s debate, but in Google’s debate as well. If only these bodies (inluding the FTC) were able to see how Microsoft manipulates the industry through its deals with Xandros, Linspire, and Novell. XenSource is another fine example of buying out one’s threat. There are also ‘puppet state’ situations, proxy strategies, embrace-to-eliminate/destroy strategies, and divide-and-consequer strategies.
Related articles:
- Microsoft Finds Legal Defender in Justice Dept.
- Kroes slams US criticism of EU Microsoft ruling
- US politicians go to bat for Microsoft
- Report Says Nonprofits Sold Influence to Abramoff
- Politicians in Microsoft’s Pocket
- Politics and tech companies: follow the money
- Microsoft Paid Lobbyist $160,000
- Microsoft’s ‘Men in Black’ kill Florida open standards legislation
- The INQ guide to the baleful side of [Microsoft] PR bunnies
- Bill Gates pressures politicians for OOXML vote
- Steve Ballmer pressures politicians for OOXML vote
Highlight: Novell was the first to acknowledge that Microsoft FUD tactics had substance. Novell then used anti-Linux FUD to market itself. 
Highlight: Xandros let Microsoft make patent claims and brag about (paid-for) OOXML support. 
Highlight: Linspire's CEO not only fell into Microsoft arms, but he also assisted the company's attack on GNU/Linux. 
Highlight: Microsoft craves pseudo (proprietary) standards and gets its way using proxies and influence which it buys. 
Highlight: The invasion into the open source world is intended to leave Linux companies neglected, due to financial incentives from Microsoft. 
Analysis: Xen, an open source hypervisor, possibly fell victim to Microsoft's aggressive (and stealthy) acquisition-by-proxy strategy.