The Trial

The first major judgment in Microsoft's anti-trust trial has been made. The judge has made rulings on the facts, which basically means that he has decided what actually happened. The following things have been determined.

1. Microsoft is a monopoly.
This means that MS has a large enough market share and influence to be able to illegally influence other companies. This in itself is not illegal.

2. Microsoft illegaly tried to divide the browser market with Netscape. This is very illegal.

3. Microsoft tried to crush Netscape after Netscpae did not agree to the illegal market-share breakup by both preditory pricing and software bundling. This is also very illegal.

4. Microsoft has engaged in various other anti-competitive actions.

What does this mean

These findings mean nothing in and of itself. This is, however, the first major turning point of the trial. In a nutshell, the chances of Microsoft leaving this trial unscathed have dramatically dropped. If Microsoft chooses to settle with the justice department, the justice department can demand more penalties. If Microsoft chooses to go through with the trial, it could recieve the worst possible punishments (being split up.) The trial is not over, however. There has yet to be actual punishments given yet, and Microsoft may choose to appeal.

home