I can't agree with those of you who do not see what Microsoft did relative to IE as anticompetitive and in violation of antitrust laws.
Netscape does not even sell operating systems, they sell web browsers. MS told Compaq that if Compaq put Netscape Navigator on Compaq computers, then MS would not sell Windows 95 to Compaq, which as a practical matter puts Compaq out of business. Look, Netscape and Compaq are competitors with regard to Web Browsers, but Microsoft used its position as the dominant vendor of operating systems, which Netscape doesn't even market, to prevent a browser customer from buying the Netscape browser.
Guys, I consider myself an opponent of big government, a free-market supporter, generally conservative and Republican in terms of the relationship of business to government. I think that IN GENERAL, the antitrust moves by DOJ against both Intel and MS suck. HOWEVER, we have laws to insure a reasonably level playing field, and I believe that these laws are generally reasonable. In my view, this particular aspect of Microsofts business practices is about as much of a smoking gun as you will ever find, and the letter from MS to Compaq (which I have not seen or read, but which was summarized in the WSJ) is the equivalent of a time lapse photo of the bullet leaving barrel.
Just my opinion, but that's the way I see it.
Barry Watzman |
