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Technology Stocks : MSFT Internet Explorer vs. NSCP Navigator
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To: 16yearcycle who wrote (13388)10/20/1997 10:02:00 PM
From: Gerald R. Lampton   of 24154
 
I agree that it is hard to draw lines when trying to define what is or is not a "product." That's why I think it is far from clear that Microsoft will lose this battle should they choose to fight it. (See below on whether I think it is a battle worth fighting.)

The point of my post was simply this: If Microsoft thinks Internet Explorer is so great, why not prove it by letting it stand on its own two feet as ann independent product that people pay for instead of tying it to Windows with the fiction that it is "free"?

But let's not get into BS debates over abstractions, let's look at what DOJ is actually seeking:

news.com

Choice cut:

"In its petition, the Justice Department asked the court:

 to stop Microsoft from requiring PC manufacturers to accept Internet Explorer as a condition of receiving Windows 95

 to require Microsoft to notify consumers of PCs that have Windows 95 that they are not required to use Internet Explorer, that they are free to use any compatible Internet browser, and to give consumers simple instructions about how to remove the Internet Explorer icon from their PC desktop if they choose

 to impose large daily fines--$1 million--on Microsoft if it continues to violate the court's order

 to strike down broad portions of non-disclosure agreements that Microsoft requires those with whom it does business to sign"

So what's wrong with any of these demands? How does unbundling IE from Windows in any way hamper Microsoft's ability to innovate? What's wrong with telling consumers how to uninstall IE? And, if someone wants to go to DOJ and rat on something they don't like about Microsoft, why shouldn't they be able to?

Why shouldn't Microsoft just cut a deal, give DOJ all or most of what it wants, and be done with this in short order?

Don't give me abstract BS about "the free market," or Ayn Rand, or rant about Janet Reno's alleged political or sexual orientations.
Tell me what is worth while for Microsoft to spend scare shareholder money on to oppose in these demands and why.

If they're going to drop millions in lawyers fees to oppose this, there had better be a damn good reason.
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