[Sussex] EU v. M$FT

[Tony Austin]

> In case you missed it, the EU v. Microsoft case has started:
>
> http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/33937.html
>
>
>
> --
> GJT
> gteale at cmedltd.com

Here is a copy of an email that I have just sent to the Euro Parliament as
my tuppence-worth on this:-

http://www4.europarl.eu.int/registre/portail/CourrierCitoyen.cfm?langue=EN

---

Anti-Trust case against Microsoft

I see in the press that this has just started.  In addition to the
complaints that I have seen mentioned, I have what I believe is a far more
serious complaint.

In the UK it is almost impossible to buy a personal computer that does not
have MS Windows already installed.

Two large suppliers (PC World and Evesham) have told me that it is
"illegal" for them to sell computers that do not have MS operating systems
pre-installed and that I would have to pay for and then uninstall the MS
operating system if I wanted to use something else, Linux for example.

I have challenged them about their use of the word "illegal" and it turns
out that they have a restrictive agreement with MS that they must supply
pre-installed MS operating systems with all computers that they sell, as a
condition of their licence to sell MS software at all.

I believe that this is an extremely restrictive practice in which MS are
abusing their monopoly of the market to ensure the continuance of that
monopoly.  Although, it is possible to buy a new computer without an MS
operating system (I build my own from components) from a few of the
smaller suppliers, MS seem to be targetting the well-known brands that
supply the majority of home and business users.

Regards.

Tony Austin
Gigaday Computing Limited
http://www.gigaday.com
tony at gigaday.com