MS critics want a clean fight news.com
The first story on day 2 of the Nader conclave. Here's legal nag in chief, Gary Reback:
"If Microsoft behaves itself, as a good corporate citizen, follows the rules of the road, and competes fairly, I think we can count on the free market. But if Microsoft continues to say `to heck with Janet Reno,' the Attorney General of the United States, then maybe they are going to force more draconian measures on themselves. It's up to Microsoft."
Nah, the proper role of government here is to make the world safe for Microsoft. Pass the proper antipiracy laws here, negotiate with China there, uphold Microsoft's interests everywhere. Antitrust law is outdated and inapplicable here, we know that from Reagan antitrust chief Charles "Rick" Rule, employed by Microsoft "on other matters".
Meanwhile, this Nader guy is no dummy.
Nader said intimidation was more of a problem, and he intends to outline today specific cases of Microsoft's tactics. However, the legendary consumer advocate seems to think that Microsoft's problems are less business oriented than personality-driven. "Gates and Ballmer have gotten themselves into this mindset that if they don't control everything, if they don't try to control everything, they'll control nothing. They're mesmerized by IBM and Digital `missing the bend
in the road.' Remember that from [Bill Gates's] book "The Road Ahead?" And Grove is that way too. And that leads to an incredible ruthlessness and aggressiveness on the part of those companies."
And who could disagree with that? The necessity of a proprietary lock, as taught in Microsoft b-school. Rules, laws? That would be ethical, hence unethical, in the "embrace and demolish" war.
Cheers, Dan. |
