July 12, 2006
How long before Microsoft pulls out of the EU?
I think it's a question worth asking. I mean, if I were facing a $357 million fine for doing business there, I'd seriously consider cutting my losses and giving them the finger. You don't want to have to deal with normal competition? Fine. Make your own damn OS.
In one sense, Microsoft can afford it. They generated $12 billion in profit last year, so it's not like they're hurting for cash. But $357 million is pretty steep. It's downright extortion if you ask me. And it's not as if Microsoft faces serious competition in Europe anyway: what are they going to use, Linux? Sure, that'll fly. You be the one to tell 30 million European grandmothers that just as they've finally figured out the whole email thing, they have to switch operating systems. Looking forward to some of that.
It's long past time the EU stopped playing regulatory racketeering.
