Although the European Commission"s statements are diplomatic to the point of opacity, there"s no mistaking what it thinks of the latest turn in the Microsoft antitrust saga. The Commission doesn"t think Microsoft"s trying hard enough, and it has canvassed widespread industry support to bolster its position. From a Microsoft document unearthed by ZDNet, and still available here [PDF 450kb], we can see why even long time Redmond partners are losing their patience.
Microsoft"s answer to its punishment is typical: seeing it as an opportunity for a new revenue stream. It has a precedent: Microsoft"s proposal to individual States, including California, would be an in-kind donation of PCs to schools, for which Microsoft could later collect royalties. Let"s see how it"s gone about charging for its punishment in Europe.