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Comment by stkdump

7 hours ago

It takes EU regulators like half a decade or so to make up their minds on each issue.

The EU never sanctionned Microsoft for monopoly. They received $2bn fines in 2005 for lack of transparency on the documentation for drivers, if I remember, then a little extra for paperwork. Then Microsoft complied mostly at the last minute before being fined (even for the 6-months disappearance of the Browser Choice Dialog, it only cost them $500m).

But never, never has the EU sanctionned Microsoft for signing OEM deals that prevent companies from installing other OS than Windows.

  • Right. The EU still seems successful in shaping (foreign) tech to some extent. Handing out huge fines is maybe less important than effecting change. Though it would of course be good if other national/transnational regulators would join in and take care of some of these topics. Imagine for example if Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand teamed up. Together they might be able to accomplish something.

Time for US regulators to show how it's done? I'm sure Americans can show Europe how this is done properly, right?