Microsoft Internet Explorer Netscape Navigator Essay - 1,030 words

The potential breakup of the Microsoft Corporation is presently one of the most consuming issues in our society. The government has declared Microsoft a monopoly, and could possibly be broken up into three pieces. This has come as a shock to most everyone, because Microsoft Windows is usually the first thing that pops up on almost everyones computer when you first turn it on. The government says that Microsoft has violated the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, which is designed to protect customers against businesses that are fixing prices, rigging bids, or allocating customers.


They are doing this by giving away their Microsoft Internet Explorer browser in order to keep Netscape from becoming a competitive force, and it is illegal for a company to undercharge their products for the sole purpose of driving their competitors out of business. Microsoft has tied together their web browser with Windows so that people will have both of their products without having to worry about people buying the Netscape Navigator web browser. (Sullivan) However, Microsoft and Netscape are not the only ones involved in this conflict. America Online, one of the most popular Internet service providers today, is also a major force in this possible outcome. Microsoft agreed to put a link in their Windows system if America Online would use Microsoft Internet Explorer instead of Netscape Navigator as their web browser. This is also a major issue because its illegal to leverage a monopoly position in one product to force companies to agree to distribute another of the monopoly owners products at the expense of the competitor (Sullivan).


Microsoft argues though, that Windows and Internet Explorer are effectively one integrated product (Sullivan). They also argued that America Online picked them because they had a better product, and that America Online felt that Microsoft Internet Explorer would benefit the customers the most. (Sullivan) Microsoft also argues that Netscape has been the major seller of Internet browsers in the past, which proves that they can sell the product. However, they state, that Netscape is keeping people from major technological advances, because they arent as up to date as Microsoft is, and that Netscape's recent slip in market share is the result of that companys own corporate mistakes and consumer choice, not monopolistic practices (Sullivan). Bill Gates, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft states: "Microsoft's products are popular because we " ve focused on our customers and innovated to meet their needs, " Gates continued. "In this industry, no company has a guaranteed position. Microsoft has succeeded because we have been guided by the most basic American values: innovation, integrity, serving customers, partnership, quality and giving to the community.


We compete vigorously, but fairly (Microsoft). This is not the first time that Microsoft has had run-ins with the government. Back in 1990, Microsoft signed a consent decree with the Justice Department because of the conflict with their partnership with IBM. Microsoft had restrictive agreements with IBM as wel ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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Essay Tags: microsoft internet explorer, netscape navigator, america online, microsoft windows, supreme court

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