Microsoft Fined 280.5 Million Euro by EU Commission: "No Company is Above the Law"

As reported on GrokLaw, the EU antitrust investigations have followed up their earlier decision to fine with the amount. Ouch. As much as I dream of the day that Microsoft competes fairly (and thus will be forced to actually innovate), just thinking about being fined that amount makes me wince. Thank goodness for limited liability companies!

But seriously, this is a very good thing. Microsoft can no longer be under any illusion that they can get away with behaving illegally and unfairly forever. Being the largest employer in California and having the ear of US Congressmen doesn't help you in the rest of the world. And Microsoft needs the rest of the world - even if just to protect their dominance of the US market against foreign competitors.