<strong>Chapter 1396 –Microsoft is sued all over the world</strong>


    Currently, Microsoft is being sued by Korea, Japan, the EU, the US, and many other countries for antitrust.


    In the past, Microsoft was sued for bundling IE with their operating system, and they are being sued for bundling MSN and video yer software. This is not only happening in China. It is happening around the world.


    Microsoft argued they had bundle IE with their operating system because users need a browser to surf the inte. They are only providing a free service, and users can opt not to use it.


    But Microsoft’s IE is unable to be uninstalled or deleted. That’s why Microsoft’s agreement is not epted.


    In 1997, the US government had sued Microsoft for this reason, and Microsoft agreed to pay over 1 billion USD of bonds as a settlement.


    If the users did not redeem the bonds, they would be donated to some public schools. However, the schools must use half of the bonds to purchase Microsoft products.


    Microsoft might have lost, but it strengthens its monopoly status. This settlement also made children get used to their products.


    Apple and many otherpanies objected to this settlement, and many states in the US don’t recognize this judgment. They continued with theirwsuits against Microsoft.


    This year, the EU sued Microsoft for monopolization again. Their negotiation with Microsoft, which spans over five years, had not concluded. But Microsoft had used these five years to control the European market.


    Microsoft is not afraid ofwsuits as it will help them gain publicity and appear in headlines worldwide. They can also drag out thewsuit and continue to sell their products.


    What if Microsoft loses thewsuit and is fined by the country? The fines are nothingpared to their profits. Even if they are fined is higher than their IE and other software’s profits, they had also increased their market share by kicking out theirpetitors. The fines can be recovered within two to three years.


    Microsoft quickly expands its market share in developed countries using bundle sales, and many countries are unhappy with it.


    The EU refused to allow Microsoft to drag it out through another round of negotiation. They immediately passed the judgment and fined Microsoft 500 million Euros. It is equivalent to around 670 million USD.


    At the same time, they ordered Microsoft to separate their operating system with the bundled software, and release their codes, including their Office software, to theirpetitors.


    Microsoft appealed but was rejected.


    If it’s not, for this reason, the universal activation code generator will not be developed so quickly.


    After seeing the EU’s victory against Microsoft, Korea, Japan, and other countries sue Microsoft for the same reasons. Even the US starts to sue them again.


    However, the Chinese market, which Microsoft values the most, is silent.


    China’s Anti-monopolyw had just been implemented. They had not done anything against Microsoft in the past because they didn’t have anyws regting monopolies.


    .......


    “What did you say? You want us to sue Microsoft for monopoly?” Party Member Bao was shocked.


    “That right. We can fine them. Didn’t you see the news? The EU had fined Microsoft 500 Euros. If we calcte the amount by poption, we can also fine them 500 million Euros. Even if we calcte base on their sales figures, the fine will be at least tens of million Euros.” Feng Yu replied.


    “How much?! At least tens of million Euros? But Microsoft had just invested 1 billion USD here.” Party Member Bao hesitated.


    This doesn’t seem to be right. They had just invested here, and we are going to fine them immediately afterward.


    “Party Member Bao, investments and breaking thew are separate issues. We cannot let them off just because they had invested here. Also, don’t you think that using Microsoft as an example will show those foreignpanies that China is not a ce for them to do whatever they want?”


    “Furthermore, Korea and Japan had sued Microsoft. Why can’t we sue them? Even the US government is suing them.”


    “Huh? The US government is also suing Microsoft? Isn’t Microsoft a USpany?” Party Member Bao is puzzled.


    It’s just like China’s Lenovo Kingsoft. The Chinese government will do everything to support it, and why would they sue them?


    “Microsoft is not the only softwarepany in the US. They still have Apple, IBM, and many otherpanies. But Microsoft’s operating system is the best among them, and the US government is suing them. What are we waiting for? What would others think of us when our neighbors, Korea, Japan, and the Commonwealth of Independent States had sued them?”


    “The inte will start saying our Chinese government is too weak and is inferior to Japan and other countries. Oh, I had helped you all find thewyer. He is the one who helped CCTV sue those dishonestpanies.”


    “Tell me the truth. Why are you so eager to sue Microsoft? Is it because they are yourpetitors?” Party Member Bao looks at Feng Yu in the eyes.


    “There’s no point of talking anymore if you think like this. Regardless of whether you sue Microsoft, we are stillpetitors, and we will not get a cent if they are fined. Moreover, I own some of Lenovo Kingsoft’s shares, but its profit is below averagepared to my otherpanies.”


    Feng Yu continued. “I am doing this for our country. Microsoft had suddenly acquired most of our softwarepanies, and it’s obvious they want to control the market. Some overseas softwarepanies also took this opportunity to acquire some of our softwarepanies. Our software industry will be under their control in the future.”


    “Microsoft China branch is second to their US headquarters. This shows how important our market is to them. Also, Microsoft cannot afford to pay so many countries and will most likely opt for private settlement. But we must not ept it. We must show everyone our stance against monopolies!”


    Party Member Bao rolled his eyes. Is Feng Yu trying to teach him what to do?


    “Are you sure we can win?” It will be embarrassing if the Chinese government sued Microsoft and loses.


    “Of course. Microsoft would have been fined in other countries. Our country will be aughing stock if we allow them to do whatever they want here. We are a big country and must show them our firm stance!”


    ......


    Three dayster, China’s Trade Committee officially announced they were suing Microsoft for monopoly and requested the courts to issue a 2.3 billion RMB fine!


    When this announcement is released, there was an uproar on the inte.


    This is the first time the Chinese Government issue such a hefty fine, and it’s against a foreignpany!