Too Little Too Late?
Too Little Too Late?
Gates once expressed fears that
antitrust actions would block the release of Windows 98, with great detriment to
consumers, but now it is more likely to affect the release of Windows 2000. The
investigations that led up to this case began in 1990, and most of the
allegations are centered on Microsoft's actions in the mid 90's, around 1995. In
high tech terms, ten years is several generations gone by, meanwhile antitrust
actions were slowed to government pace. And we haven't even begun the appeals
process.
Many say the damage is done. Others say the very direction the computing industry has taken in recent years makes the entire case a moot point. Many people do agree, though, the ruling was too late to do much good, and a few say that antitrust actions in the high tech industries requires a new approach, perhaps a new regulatory committee that has the power to keep up with the pace of the industry.