<<McNealy critical of Microsoft investments>> - duly noted. What I can't figure out is whether McNealy sincerely believes in what he spouts, or is just being cynical.
Factually, he's more mixed up than a dog's breakfast. The only thing which *may* be legitimate about the DOJ concerns is the O/S near monopoly. And of course, any *illegal* behavior by MSFT in restraining competition.
The problem is you cannot possibly compare Standard Oil and MSFT - the software industry is dramatically different from the oil industry in its key characteristics - Standard Oil wasn't facing imminent threats of obsolescence - the pace of technological revolution that has the capacity to completely demolish a business model virtually overnight is unparalelled - even in the case of T or IBM when the anti-trust suits were brought against them. MSFT *must* retain its right to diversify and explore other markets - this is not the case of "over-reaching", "controlling the distribution channel"(absurd, by the way - even MSFT doesn't have the $$$ to do that), or "leveraging the O/S monopoly". It is a matter of simple survival.
Thus, I'd be inclined to give MSFT a pretty free hand in exploring other markets, investing as it sees fit, acquiring, and expanding. This does not absolve MSFT of past or present illegal behavior, and what to do about this, is of course the crux of the matter.
FWIW, if I may speculate on the outcome of this whole case, I think the following will happen: MSFT will get hit with some substantial damage assessments for their past behavior. Further, some measures may be put in place - things like opening up the Windows source code, and some very tough consent stuff.
What I don't believe the gov. will be stupid enough to do, is to permanently cripple MSFT by not allowing it to continue integrating products as it sees fit, expanding into other markets, and profiting from it's IP. I think even the gov. is aware of the fact that as we move into the 21st century, it is folly to imagine that old style monopolies (like T in its heyday), can ever exist in the rapidly evolving technology field. NO single company can ever hope to maintain a non-regulatory hammerlock on any technology for any length of time. No company, no matter how large, can ever be *guaranteed* not to go down the drain, in a shockingly short time - this is the new reality of the brave new world of explosive technological revolutions.
Morgan |
