In Google fine, shades of Microsoft 2001

By Felicity Duncan

It occurred to me a few days ago that there are a lot of similarities between the recent EU competition fine levied on Google and the famous 2001 Microsoft antitrust fine (antitrust is what they call competition issues Stateside). 

As you may recall, in 2001, Microsoft reached a settlement with the US Department of Justice over its abuse of its monopoly power over desktop computer operating systems. Specifically, internet browser companies complained that Microsoft was abusing its dominance to shut out competitors and force consumers to use Internet Explorer. Microsoft was nearly broken into two by the case but reached a settlement on appeal.

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