Faced with another private antitrust lawsuit, this time from digital media competitor Real Networks Inc., Microsoft Corp. late Thursday defended its position in the space. "There is vibrant competition in this marketplace and Real Networks' own reported growth shows that they have thrived on Windows and many other operating platforms," Microsoft said in a statement. As previously reported, Real Networks earlier in the day filed an antitrust case against Microsoft in federal court in San Jose, Calif., alleging that the Redmond, Wash., software giant illegally used its monopoly power to restrict competition and consumer choice in the digital-media space by forcing its Windows Media player on Windows users.
Seattle-based Real Networks, in a statement, accused Microsoft of "predatory action over a period of years by abusing its monopoly power, resulting in substantial lost revenue and business for Real Networks." Part of Real Networks' case is based on business conduct similar to what U.S. courts have declared illegal in other Microsoft antitrust cases, such as failure to disclose interface information and placing restrictions on PC manufacturers, said Bob Kimball, Real Networks vice president and general counsel, in the statement.
News source: eWeek
