The EU’s antitrust judgment against Microsoft has sparked squabbling between a member of U.S. Department of Justice and a European commissioner.
Earlier this week The EU Court of First Instance ruled that Microsoft was guilty of monopolistic maneuverings by trying to use its desktop might to give Windows Media Player an unfair market advantage.The DOJ’s Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, Thomas Barnett, criticized the ruling sharply on Monday, warning that it could
“have the unfortunate consequence of harming consumers by chilling innovation and discouraging competition.”
European Union Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes fired back:
“I think it’s totally unacceptable [that a representative of the U.S. government] should criticize an independent court’s decision. The Commission doesn’t pass judgment on rulings in U.S. courts. We expect the same respect,” she said.
It is a little ironic that the DOJ would worry that Europe’s antitrust moves against Microsoft will stifle innovation at this point. Microsoft is nearing the end of its five-years of U.S. court oversight and several are petitioning for that oversight to continue.
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