U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson ruled Monday that Microsoft had violated antitrust laws when it tied its browser, Internet Explorer, to its operating system.

Jackson wrote that Microsoft had “maintained its monopoly power by anticompetitive means and attempted to monopolize the Web browser market…by unlawfully tying its Web browser to its operating system.”

“Viewing Microsoft’s conduct as a whole also reinforces the conviction that it was predacious,” Jackson wrote. “Microsoft paid vast sums of money, and renounced many millions more in lost revenue every year, in order to induce firms to take actions that would help enhance Internet Explorer’s share of browser usage at Navigator’s expense.”

The New York Times published Judge Jackson’s decision.

Wall Street, it seems, had anticipated a ruling against Microsoft after weekend negotiations between the software giant and the government failed. Prior to the decision’s release, the NASDAQ composite index plunged more than 300 points, according to CNN Financial Network. Microsoft’s share fell almost 15 percent before the announcement, CNN also reported.
Do you agree with the judge’s decision? What do you think should happen to Microsoft now? Let us know.
U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson ruled Monday that Microsoft had violated antitrust laws when it tied its browser, Internet Explorer, to its operating system.

Jackson wrote that Microsoft had “maintained its monopoly power by anticompetitive means and attempted to monopolize the Web browser market…by unlawfully tying its Web browser to its operating system.”

“Viewing Microsoft’s conduct as a whole also reinforces the conviction that it was predacious,” Jackson wrote. “Microsoft paid vast sums of money, and renounced many millions more in lost revenue every year, in order to induce firms to take actions that would help enhance Internet Explorer’s share of browser usage at Navigator’s expense.”

The New York Times published Judge Jackson’s decision.

Wall Street, it seems, had anticipated a ruling against Microsoft after weekend negotiations between the software giant and the government failed. Prior to the decision’s release, the NASDAQ composite index plunged more than 300 points, according to CNN Financial Network. Microsoft’s share fell almost 15 percent before the announcement, CNN also reported.
Do you agree with the judge’s decision? What do you think should happen to Microsoft now? Let us know.