The Findings of Fact 2
The Findings of Fact 2
The findings go into detail as to the
violations and anticompetitive practices that Microsoft was found to be engaged
in. This provides the factual basis for further individual lawsuits by
competitors and for the major antitrust judgment to come. They did not, however,
provide a remedy plan, which is analogous to a sentence in a criminal trial, or
even declare Microsoft guilty of any violations of law.
Microsoft admits the Findings of Fact do
paint an unflattering picture of the company. Their response is that, even if
the Findings are assumed to be flawless (which Microsoft contends they are not)
they do not describe an abusive monopolist. They describe a fiercely competitive
company, which has driven innovation, if by no other means then by being
completely unbeatable in the market, so that the only means of effectively
competing with them was by outdoing them with superior, innovative new
technologies. They say their actions may seem unfair, but were completely lawful
and did result in innovation and, ironically, increased competition.