Rivals Want Microsoft Punished
Microsoft's rivals claimed yesterday that the software company has a stranglehold on the digital media and server markets, and urged the European commission to act. The plea came at the end of a three-day hearing in Brussels that Microsoft hopes will persuade the commission not to throw...
Microsoft's rivals claimed yesterday that the software company has a stranglehold on the digital media and server markets, and urged the European commission to act.
The plea came at the end of a three-day hearing in Brussels that Microsoft hopes will persuade the commission not to throw the book at it for allegedly abusing its dominant position in Europe. It has robustly defended its commercial behaviour.
Sun Microsystems and RealNetworks yesterday put their side of the story, behind closed doors, and are understood to have demanded tough action against Microsoft.
A recent RealNetworks memo highlights some of their concerns: "Microsoft is aiming to establish its Windows Media format as the de facto standard for digital content and thus gain a stranglehold over the entire digital media industry."
Unless the commission intervenes, RealNetworks believes independent software development will be almost impossible.
The primary allegation the commission is investigating is that Microsoft designed its Windows 2000 software to function best with its own servers, squeezing out rivals.
The plea came at the end of a three-day hearing in Brussels that Microsoft hopes will persuade the commission not to throw the book at it for allegedly abusing its dominant position in Europe. It has robustly defended its commercial behaviour.
Sun Microsystems and RealNetworks yesterday put their side of the story, behind closed doors, and are understood to have demanded tough action against Microsoft.
A recent RealNetworks memo highlights some of their concerns: "Microsoft is aiming to establish its Windows Media format as the de facto standard for digital content and thus gain a stranglehold over the entire digital media industry."
Unless the commission intervenes, RealNetworks believes independent software development will be almost impossible.
The primary allegation the commission is investigating is that Microsoft designed its Windows 2000 software to function best with its own servers, squeezing out rivals.
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