Microsoft: Difference between revisions

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=== Court cases up to the early 2000s ===

In the major antitrust case brought by the US Department of Justice, U.S. v. Microsoft Corp., 253 F.3d 34 (D.C. Cir. 2001)<ref>https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/253/34/576095/</ref>, Microsoft argued that there was no barrier to entry in the market they were in. A central issue at that time was whether Microsoft could bundle the web browser Internet Explorer with the Microsoft Windows operating system. The following was said in the court case: "The District Court condemned a number of provisions in Microsoft's agreements licensing Windows to OEMs, because it found that Microsoft's imposition of those provisions (like many of Microsoft's other actions at issue in this case) serves to reduce usage share of Netscape's browser and, hence, protect Microsoft's operating system monopoly."

In the major antitrust case brought by the US Department of Justice, U.S. v. Microsoft Corp., 253 F.3d 34 (D.C. Cir. 2001)<ref>https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/253/34/576095/</ref>, Microsoft argued that there was no barrier to entry in the market they were in. A central issue at that time was whether Microsoft could bundle the web browser Internet Explorer with the Microsoft Windows operating system. The following was said in the court case: "The District Court condemned a number of provisions in Microsoft's agreements licensing Windows to OEMs, because it found that Microsoft's imposition of those provisions (like many of Microsoft's other actions at issue in this case) serves to reduce usage share of Netscape's browser and, hence, protect Microsoft's operating system monopoly."

The court specifically identified three main license restrictions for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) that were considered problematic:

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=== Microsoft account dark patterns when installing Windows===

Numerous dark patterns have been implemented in the form of sneaky language and user interface during the installation process to mislead users into thinking a Microsoft account is required and thus logging in or creating an account. The dark patterns to push users towards linking a Microsoft account have been in place since Windows 10 was launched in 2015 and continue into the Windows 11 installation process.

~~==Anti-consumer Practices==~~

=== De-listing/destruction of access to games ===

In early September of 2016, Microsoft shut down access to purchasing Xbox 360 Indie Games <ref>https://www.polygon.com/2015/9/9/9297959/xbox-live-indie-games-shutting-down</ref>, and in late July of 2024, Microsoft shut down their storefront for Xbox 360 games<ref>https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2023/08/17/xbox-360-store-will-close-july-2024/</ref>. These shutdowns have caused hundreds of games to become impossible to obtain new copies of and for some, additionally play.

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 === Court cases up to the early 2000s ===
-In the major antitrust case brought by the US Department of Justice, U.S. v. Microsoft Corp., 253 F.3d 34 (D.C. Cir. 2001)<ref>https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/253/34/576095/</ref>, Microsoft argued that there was no barrier to entry in the market they were in. A central issue at that time was whether Microsoft could bundle the web browser Internet Explorer with the Microsoft Windows operating system. The following was said in the court case: "The District Court condemned a number of provisions in Microsoft's agreements licensing Windows to OEMs, because it found that Microsoft's imposition of those provisions (like many of Microsoft's other actions at issue in this case) serves to reduce usage share of Netscape's browser and, hence, protect Microsoft's operating system monopoly."
+In the major antitrust case brought by the US Department of Justice, U.S. v. Microsoft Corp., 253 F.3d 34 (D.C. Cir. 2001)<ref>https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/253/34/576095/</ref>, Microsoft argued that there was no barrier to entry in the market they were in. A central issue at that time was whether Microsoft could bundle the web browser Internet Explorer with the Microsoft Windows operating system. The following was said <!-- By whom? -->in the court case: "The District Court condemned a number of provisions in Microsoft's agreements licensing Windows to OEMs, because it found that Microsoft's imposition of those provisions (like many of Microsoft's other actions at issue in this case) serves to reduce usage share of Netscape's browser and, hence, protect Microsoft's operating system monopoly."
 The court specifically identified three main license restrictions for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) that were considered problematic:
@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 === Microsoft account dark patterns when installing Windows<!-- Tone, and needs sources -->===
 Numerous dark patterns have been implemented in the form of sneaky language and user interface during the installation process to mislead users into thinking a Microsoft account is required and thus logging in or creating an account. The dark patterns to push users towards linking a Microsoft account have been in place since Windows 10 was launched in 2015 and continue into the Windows 11 installation process.
-==Anti-consumer Practices==
 === De-listing/destruction of access to games ===
 In early September of 2016, Microsoft shut down access to purchasing Xbox 360 Indie Games <ref>https://www.polygon.com/2015/9/9/9297959/xbox-live-indie-games-shutting-down</ref>, and in late July of 2024, Microsoft shut down their storefront for Xbox 360 games<ref>https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2023/08/17/xbox-360-store-will-close-july-2024/</ref>. These shutdowns have caused hundreds of games to become impossible to obtain new copies of and for some, additionally play.