More and more I notice antitrust lawsuits appearing against larger corporations.  Google and Microsoft seem to be at the forefront of the attacks.  Of course, this is expected.  Company A blames Company B of such and such.  Company B retaliates after losing the suit and blames Company A of something else.  Back and forth, back and forth.  Why can’t we all just get along?  Because business is business.  So what’s new in the world of cyber suits?

Microsoft Starts The EU Browser Update Option

Microsoft has been forced to provide users with browser options when setting up their operating system.  The cyber giant made a deal with the European Union when they were questioned about the legality of offering Internet Explorer with Windows.  Now, Windows operating systems will offer a variety of options including Microsoft’s leading competitors; Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari and Opera.  Personally, I am happy the option is being enforced.  I would like to see this happen in the US.  The ability to give people options and hopefully turn them away from Internet Explorer would be amazing.  IE is regarded as one of the worst browsers to develop for.  Despite the smile it would put on my face, I doubt this will happen in the US.  Business is business.  Read more about this subject at the following locations:

Microsoft Agrees To Browser Ballot Terms

Microsoft Starts The European Browser Choice Update

Antitrust Suit Against Google… No Really?

So now appears that Microsoft may be trying to push an antitrust suit against Google.  The accusation is that Google’s search result algorithms are unfair.  Foundem and ejustice.fr have ties with Microsoft and are two of the companies accusing Google.  The third is Ciao, which has been acquired by Microsoft.  Microsoft is pushing it’s new search engine Bing.  It does not surprise me that this suit is being started by Microsoft and affiliates.  Google is the leading search engine and Microsoft wants to take over the market share.  Do they have a suit?  Of course.  Google has the ability to deny sites visibility in search results.  So we already know they can modify the results.  But do they do it intentionally?  I do not think this is the case.  I would agree with Craig Buckler “If Google engaged in mass rank manipulation, it would involve a colossal amount of human effort and search results could become meaningless.”  Read more on the subject at:

Wired.com – Google Hit With Antitrust Complaints In Europe

Sitepoint.com – Google Faces Antitrust Inquiry

So What Do You Think?

Personally, I think Google and Microsoft could get along.  There is plenty of market share for both companies.  I am also against monopolies.  In my opinion, Microsoft still has a monopoly with operating systems and Internet Explorer within the general public.  And if you are a general user, you are going to use the products installed by default.  Of course, there are more options now.  Mac and Linux are gaining more popularity.  Mac is no longer just the choice of graphic artists and Linux is no longer just for techies.  I would still like to see options enforced to help keep Microsoft’s domination at bay and raise awareness of the other products.  That being said,  the same applies for other companies, not just Microsoft.  When one falls, another rises.  Your thoughts?