Microsoft and the Monopoly

Microsoft and the Monopoly

Kyle Pederson

KP03@comcast.net

Microsoft and the Monopoly

Microsoft is a very large and diverse computer software company. It was

investigated for antitrust behavior after there were reports that Microsoft was abusing their

position as the leading supplier of computer operating systems. Lawmakers investigated to

see if Microsoft was trying to create a monopoly of the computer software market. They

found that Microsoft was trying to cause a monopoly in the computer industry.

Here are the facts that support their findings. Microsoft developed Microsoft Office

products that catered to the needs of professional in all types of fields, these products will

only operate in a Windows operating system, which is a Microsoft system. When the early

stages of the internet stared, Microsoft tried to push out and eliminate their competitors

when it came to web browsing. It provided Internet Explore free of charge in all of their

operating systems. This was at a time where people were being charged for AOL or Netscape

Navigator.   Microsoft was guilty of “exclusive dealing”. This is a regulation that gives them sole

rights to a certain product. This prevented their competition   from entering the market

with their products. Microsoft used a pricing schedule which was a benefit for Windows

users, but if you were on a different operating system products or services would cost more.

This was often a deterrent for people that use a different system than Microsoft.

Yes, I agree that Microsoft tried to monopolize the market. Monopolies can

affect both the market and the providers. It can cause artificial pricing, a demand for products

that are always in short supply, and have multiple complaints with little to no response, and

often times, consumers are not able to change to other products or services possibly due to contract agreements.

On the other hand it is possible to have a monopoly be a good thing and...