Judge rules that Microsoft caused "consumer harm by distorting competition"

A judge ruled today that Microsoft do in fact have a monopoly over the PC marketplace, after nearly 18 months of deliberation in a high profile case regarding Microsoft's rule over the PC software market. "Microsoft have demonstrated that they will use their prodigious market power and immense profits to harm any firm that insists on pursuing initiatives that could intensify competition against one of Microsoft's core products," said Judge Jackson. This in no way indicates a final decision - that's slated to come in early 2000. However, it doesn't bode well for Microsoft.

A spokesman for Microsoft was confident that they would still come out victorious, saying: "While we disagree with many of today's findings, we're still confident that the law supports us on these points, and that the American legal system will ultimately rule that Microsoft's actions were fair, legal and good for consumers."

Microsoft currently own 90 per cent of the market for PC operating systems.


Courtesy of IGN.com