Freedom Is Priceless, But Has A Cost!
"The Free Software Foundations have a 20 year history of implementing and defending freedom in the information society -- be it on a on a single user machine or at the European Court in Luxembourg -- and we are proud of the independence and integrity we have always maintained", the president of Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) Georg Greve says in view of the settlement between Microsoft and the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA).
As reported by the Financial Times, Microsoft bought CCIAs withdrawal from the European Court case, deserting the European Commission for payment of 20 Million US-Dollar to the CCIA, half of which were paid to CCIAs president Ed Black personally.
"Microsoft has invested more than 2.5bn USD into buying two things from SUN, Novell and the CCIA: The immediate freedom of European companies and consumers and the capability of the European Commission to bring about future successful antitrust investigations," Greve continues. "It may briefly increase their financial assets, but at the cost of future market perspectives." Examples are home entertainment, operating systems built into cars and mobile phones.
The Free Software Foundation Europe emphasizes that with each turn of the wheel, it will become more difficult to break the vicious cycle. Each failed antitrust ruling will give Microsoft more assets to buy parties out of future antitrust investigations. Unlike CCIA, Novell or SUN, the Free Software Foundation Europe cannot be bought and will continue to support the European Commission in the case.
"Those who wish to see freedom of market restored should be aware that never can someone with deeper pockets divert support already given to FSFE, as it happened with the CCIA. This independence is priceless, but not without cost. The only thing that might therefore be able to stop us is lack of resources because of lack of support." Greve finishes.
FSFE members are available for interviews and further details.
Further information about the MS vs EU case: http://www.fsfeurope.org/projects/ms-vs-eu/
Further information: http://www.fsfeurope.org
Source: press release
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