From: "Robert Comer" 

>"A controversial Microsoft program offering discounts to win
> business from lower-priced competitors has only been used twice in Europe
> since July, the company's top lawyer said yesterday.

Gak, just because they've only did it twice, the EU antitrust people
shouldn't go after them.  VERY bad logic on their part.

- Bob Comer



"Joe Barr"  wrote in message
news:pan.2003.05.20.14.37.51.300547{at}austin.rr.com...
>
>
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14517-2003May20.html?nav=hptoc_t
n
>
> By Cynthia L. Webb
> washingtonpost.com Staff Writer
> Tuesday, May 20, 2003; 9:38 AM
>
> Microsoft's use of aggressive sales practices to defeat competition for
> other operating systems, namely the open-source Linux platform, have put
> the company in potential hot water again.
>
> Already under the microscope in Europe for alleged anticompetitive
> behavior, the company's business practices have been criticized again
> following a report in The International Herald Tribune last week detailing
> internal company e-mails and memos that indicated Microsoft would offer
> steep discounts to take business away from cheaper competitors, including
> Linux.
>
> In a follow-up piece in The Seattle Times today, Microsoft does some
> backpedaling. "A controversial Microsoft program offering discounts to win
> business from lower-priced competitors has only been used twice in Europe
> since July, the company's top lawyer said yesterday. The revelation could
> be part of an effort to mute calls for a new European Commission antitrust
> investigation," the newspaper reported. "I have a great deal
of confidence
> this program has not in any way inappropriate impact on commerce in the
> European Union," Brad Smith, Microsoft senior vice president and general
> counsel, told The Seattle Times.
>
> --
>

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