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There were few surprises for Microsoft in today's European Commission
decision, but the ruling will make grim
reading none the less. The record
fine Microsoft can probably pay from its petty
cash, but the changes demanded in how the company conducts
its business will be of much more concern. And at
first glance, one of those penalties will hardly delight
consumers: the fact that Microsoft will have to strip out its
audio-visual software, Media Player, from the Windows operating
system.
In fact, its rivals argue, that
means that the buying public will
now be offered a choice of players and not have one imposed upon
them instead. Microsoft will appeal against this decision, not
least because it establishes precedents
that could restrain its ambitions in the future. But critics say
there's a clear pattern of behaviour
here now that Microsoft has broken competition law on both sides
of the Atlantic - a rare, if consistent feat.
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will make grim reading: will not
be very pleasant to read because it contains lots of bad news
record fine: a bigger fine than
there has ever been in this type of case
petty cash: a small amount of money
that is kept in offices to pay for minor expenses
conducts: does, performs
at first glance: when you first
look at it, when you first consider it
delight: make really happy
its rivals: companies that are in a similar business competing
for the same customers
the buying public: people who buy
a product and affect the commercial success of that product
precedents: legal decisions which
could then influence and affect similar cases in the future
pattern of behaviour: a way in
which somebody usually behaves or acts
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