Microsoft Files Antitrust Complaint Against Google

[StephenRogers713]

Wow it's word for word digital Atlas Shrugged. Rand may be a bit nuts, but if Rearden makes a better metal, you can't really just take it, you could always make a better one though, eh Microsoft?

 

[Frotality]

you can take legal action for a business using unfair practices to keep itself at the top?! when did this happen? i though unjustly hoisting oneself into a position of power was kinda the status quo in the business world.

 

[Mad1Cow]

Oh dear, looks like capitalism is a harsh cruel world eh microsoft? Honestly, ever since Coke took over Innocent Smoothies I'm just waiting for the day Wall-E happens and EVERY STORE EVER is just the same brand globally, so much so they're our last hope for survival. Either that or the apocalypse will happen, sort out our population growth and get rid of the majority of company giants so that the little guys can take a stab at the market without fear of being bought out...

 

[Bloodstain]

Well, Google is just... better?

I hope Google Counter-Claims against Internet Explorer. That'd be some poetic justice right there.

That would be awesome. Please let it happen.

 

[Bloodstain]

And all of the people replying fail to understand why we have antitrust laws in the first place.

Aren't you replying as well?

 

[nebtheslayer95]

if google loses this case, i will :a) cry myself to sleep every night for the rest of my life, and b) lose what little faith i had in the existence of justice or common sense

 

[teh dark]

This story made me lol but to add to it.

I just had too google the page for reseting my hotmail password because i couldent find it on the hotmail or microsoft website

and they wonder why no ones using there products

 

[ultratog1028]

The only reason Bing has 25% of the US is because they had to start paying people to use it via Microsoft Points.

 

[Arizona Kyle]

Dear Microsoft

You think you can mess with google???

 

[hexFrank202]

How nice, now Microsoft knows what it feels like to be bullied around by other companies that are better than you.

 

[Steve the Pocket]

A lot of talk about irony in this thread. I recall Google bitching that Microsoft shouldn't be allowed to have a file search feature in its own operating system because it was unfair to Google's Desktop Search app. Same shit-flinging, different side. Anti-trust and anti-monopoly laws are a good idea, but in practice the companies that use them tend to sound like kids squabbling in the back seat of their parents' car.

I find this amusing since the few times I've used Bing, its layout is so identical to Google that I thought I was using Google.

Also I'd be able to care more if Bing didnt keep setting itself to default search and installing its toolbars with other unrelated microsoft products. Hint, I dont like you Bing, because you try force yourself onto me.

Apparently you don't remember back before every browser had a built-in search bar and Google bundled their own toolbar with virtually everything, including several non-Google products. I do. They mostly stopped when Chrome came out; now they just put ads for Chrome on every page of every site they own.

With regards to Google blocking/frustrating access to YouTube, they might well have a point, but honestly with the sorts of anti-competitive shit Microsoft's been up to in the past they can fuck off and make their own video hosting site and block Google from accessing it (lol, gl with that After all, there's a market for a video hoster that doesn't give a shit about copyright - maybe that's a niche they could look at exploiting?

You do realize that "giving a shit" about the LAW isn't exactly optional, right? Even for a company as big as Microsoft. They might be able to kick a little company like Netscape to the curb, but not the entire entertainment industry.

 

[Wicky_42]

A lot of talk about irony in this thread. I recall Google bitching that Microsoft shouldn't be allowed to have a file search feature in its own operating system because it was unfair to Google's Desktop Search app. Same shit-flinging, different side. Anti-trust and anti-monopoly laws are a good idea, but in practice the companies that use them tend to sound like kids squabbling in the back seat of their parents' car.

...

You do realize that "giving a shit" about the LAW isn't exactly optional, right? Even for a company as big as Microsoft. They might be able to kick a little company like Netscape to the curb, but not the entire entertainment industry.

I'm confused - were you on Google's side the first time then? Lol, seems like you're playing both fields

Other people have commented that Microsoft's complaints are half-truths; that the blocked youtube vids are universally unavailable on smart phones for whatever reason, but the majority of the content is unaffected, for example.

I'm not "not giving a shit about the LAW", I'm saying I don't give a shit about Microsoft's bitching because it's likely petty, founded on half-truths and could even just be a play for more publicity for their search engine! As you pointed out yourself, slinging these sort of accusations around can be common practice in this industry, and most of the time they're just bullshit.

I seem to recall Microsoft happily soaking up anti-competition fines levied against them over the refusal to release the Windows source after its copyright expired, and then when they finally did the manual for it was absolutely garbage - just another level of sabotage to prevent anyone actually using the code. Let's say my levels of sympathy for the mega corporation are preeeety low when it comes to them chasing a bigger slice of yet another market.

 

[crystalsnow]

I'm calling shenanigans. Bing isn't making any headway because it sucks.

 

[Marudas]

I laughed. Someone should go over to Google and tell them to stop being so amazing. Then Microsoft should sue Apple because people aren't buying their Zunes.

 

[Steve the Pocket]

I'm confused - were you on Google's side the first time then? Lol, seems like you're playing both fields

OK, this right here? Needs to stop. This attitude that we're supposed to be playing favorites for some reason instead of calling 'em as we see 'em. I've seen shades of it in this thread already, and I'm sick of it.

I'm not "not giving a shit about the LAW", I'm saying I don't give a shit about Microsoft's bitching because it's likely petty, founded on half-truths and could even just be a play for more publicity for their search engine!

I was talking about the "video site that doesn't give a shit about copyright" thing.

 

[godfist88]

Maybe Bing can't compete because it's complete crap? Just a thought Microsoft.

exactly, you can't sue the competition because you suck.

 

[ark123]

You guys know where this comes from, right?
If you run Chrome OS, you're not buying Windows and you're not buying Office. It may seem like Google was just there, being awesome, and MS came asking for trouble, but I'd say the initial blow was dealt by Google.
But this, combined with their paying billions to Nokia to PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD use their software just stinks of desperation. Evolve or die, fellas.

 

[Elamdri]

Microsoft's complaints about it's market share are silly, what search engine I choose to use is my decision. However, it is a legitimate concern if Google is hampering other search engines from accessing content on Youtube and some of the other issues, because then that discriminates against me, the consumer.

 

[justnotcricket]

Yes, Bing is inferior...but I don't think Google should be allowed to restrict sites so that other search engines *can't* link to them. Isn't that illegal? I mean, how is any search engine supposed to compare to Google when it can't access stuff - even if, say, it offered a better service in other areas (hypothetically). Isn't that an antitrust issue?

<-- knows very little about this kind of law.

 

[lapan]

While they do have a point about the content blocks, it's still ironic that these complaints come from Microsoft of all things. Not that i would change search engines even if they get access...