Google claims that Microsoft is encouraging third party anti-trust lawsuits
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted March 1st 2010 6:43PM
posted March 1st 2010 6:43PM
Microsoft certainly knows a thing or two about anti-trust suits, and if the kids at Google are to be believed the company is waging something of a proxy war on them by injecting itself in lawsuits and complaints brought up by third parties. As Google spokesman Adam Kovacevich told The Wall Street Journal, "our competitors are scouring court dockets around the world looking for complaints against Google into which they can inject themselves, learn more about our business practices, and use that information to develop a broader antitrust complaint against us." Of course, Microsoft claims that this is mere bosh, saying that it's neither initiated nor is it funding anti-trust lawsuits from small companies like TradeComet.com or myTriggers.com -- the latter of whom is being represented by Charles "Rick" Rule, Microsoft's chief outside counsel on competition issues. Then again, if we remember correctly Ciao -- the European online shopping portal -- didn't have any problems with how Google did business until they were snatched up by Microsoft recently. Coincidence? Inevitable? Both? We can't say, but things are sure to get interesting.
could be likely
@masta vaan
How insightful.
@masta vaan everyone knows that microsoft is playing fair. microsoft is the leader of the industry.
@emopoops not my industry
@masta vaan
I'd just like to point out, this is a two mans game..if you cant beat them why not join em???
IF MSFT is doing such a thing, I say Google should join in on the action and do the same thing instead of complain.
PS, Im neither for Google or MSFT on this issue..thats just how I see this
@o29 Take note, google is having a tons of problem in EU wherein they're suffering with a lawsuit filed by companies such as
Ciao! basically, for de-ranking these website's SEO said to be for no reason. A review: http://bit.ly/google-under-fire
@abedinthehouse Disagree. If you have something legitimate do it, if it's just out of spite you are wasting the courts time, your money, other companies money, everyone but the lawyers lose. Terrible idea, that mentality is part of what is wrong with the country and what is truly a big part of what is wrong with the legal process.
While we're at it, as long as we are complaining about Apple patenting things that have been in existence for 5+ years, why not have Google or MS do it? Again, terrible mentality, the list goes on to every bad business practice that leaves the consumers getting less at the end of the day.
Wow another Lawsuit.... Wheres my shocked face? I think I left it on the PS3 Leap Year Thread.
This might get interesting...
MS should focus on making Bing not terrible instead of being butt hurt about Google.
@treats I definitely agree, the focus on competition should be through the ones quality, not legal disputes. In fact I believe in the end this will strengthen Google's mind shares and decrease Microsoft/Bing's. I only say this because that is the effect it has had on me.
@treats Yup I agree that MS should focus on improving its search features to compete with Google. However, no one said MS was going to fight fair.
@treats
Microsoft is always improving bing. and bing is on the rise
@treats
I agree with lenei22. Bing is becoming more and more impressive everyday. I've long since abandoned Google.
@Bengal34
I agree, Bing is a pretty good search engine. But MS haters will never know because they won't try it.
The analytics on my web site show Bing visitors growing month-to-month. Still well below Google, but then G had a decade + head start.
@treats This is how it happens. Opera brings issues to the EU and such. Remember Google brought up issues to the EU about IE.
@edf correct me if I'm wrong but u seem to think that Bing is something new, "decade head start" ?? You're forgetting Bing is just Live Search and before that it was MSN Search and before that god knows what. And when in a couple of years it fails to gain momentum they'll rename it again. Maybe to Windows Bing Version 2.0 Ultimate Search Engine.
@edf LOL, Google had a head start? Wouldn't it be Bing that has all of the advantages of ten years of Google's tries and fails in the internet search industry at their reach when designing a new search engine? Plus it's not like Microsoft didn't exist 10 years ago.
@al3d That it is the successor to Live/MSN search means nothing. Bing was pretty much a completely new product, and a good one at that. Google got it right the "first" time and they've had the posibility to improve on something that worked.
MS had to recreate something that worked and start bulding on that, so saying that Google has a decade long headstart is correct.
Google, I love you guys, but talk about hypocrisy!
Google interjected themselves into the browser and desktop search engine anti-trust suits when it served their purpose. Regardless of your stance on that, you can't do that left and right and then moan if MS mimics you.
IMO, we should have the lawyers on all sides just stand in a line in front of a Barrett M82A3. =)
@Ducman69
If I sue you for $1M over your comments will you hire a lawyer to defend yourself or just pay a settlement?
@Ducman69
Wow, how much of a fanboy can you be?
This is a story about MS calling Google a Monopolist! That's the story. That's the most ironic accusation in the world.
MS-90% of PC market for OS's
Google-60% of Web searches.
@Marbles
1M to either company is pocket change. They'll defend themselves when we get into the hundreds of millions or billions of dollars. Google probably doesn't want to get screwed like MS with the EU.
@Marbles I see what you did there...
@Wesscoast U mean 90% searches right ?
if you don't antitrust police down your throat, don't engage in antitrust practices... both google and apple need a healthy dose of antitrust training.
IF I GO DOWN I'M TAKING YOU WITH ME!
Hmm, wonder where Microsoft learned that trick....
@highmarker
Payback is a bitch
@highmarker They've used it before... See: SCO
If you violate antitrust regulation, you deserve to be in trouble regardless of who is encouraging the complaint.
@making11s Bah, corrupt politicians, especially in the EU, just make up anti-trust legislation however it serves their interests.
@Ducman69 That may be the case, but IF it is happening, it needs to be dealt with.
Google is just as guilty.. Every business does this shiz to get some head..
@Mattd00d I think you mean to get ahead.
@Edobe Getting head is way better for Google or Microsoft.
@Mattd00d
Ain't it for everyone... now, where do I sign up
@Mattd00d
2 companies = every company?
Not quite.
@Mattd00d
isn't that the reason why its illegal?
The question we should all be asking is, would they be where they are now without this shiz? eg , intel. The fines where petty cash for them. Did breaking the law pay off and get them where they are today?
for a corporation , it would seem that crime can pay.
You or I would be incarcerated for many years for much less illegal financial gain than any of these multi's perform on any given day of the year.
Microsoft = POT
Google = Kettle
@Edobe
shouldn't it be the other way around since it's google that's complaining?
@lennie22 You're right it should be, but, you get my drift right?
You can also think of it as "takes on to know one".
AWWWW shit!
It is interesting that the culture at MS hasn't changed since Gates virtually stole DOS. It is equally interesting that Google has enough momentum to attract the attention of Microsoft and their immoral and shady business model. Good job Google! Now just don't go breakin the law and you won't have to worry about anything... Funny how that works.
@kobioshi Too bad humans run companies :P Google is just as bad as microsoft.. Give it time :)
Usually this would be a case of who's being shiftier and/or sneakier, however, given MS's track record, and Google's track record, I'm just gonna go ahead and side with Google on this one.
I foresee Google filing an antitrust action against Microsoft, and asking Justice to seize documents to show that Microsoft is targeting Google unscrupulously.
And Ballmer blowing smoke out of his ears when word reaches him of Google's actions.
what the fuck is the internet?
@stetson
I think it's like AOL.