Essay, Research Paper: Microsoft

By running the Internet Microsoft could set up any programs that they wanted to. Also the
software buyer would have to sue it because his system (computer) would only be
compatible with one type of software programming. In addition and most important, not
only is it not fair, it is illegal and it leaves no room for competition. Because of the loss of
competition, Microsoft or any other company should not be able to monopolize the
computer software industry or any industry.
First of all, Microsoft should not be allowed to monopolize the computer software
industry because monopolies get rid of competition. Without competition, consumers
would have only one source to buy their products and would have no choice in the quality
of products offered. Also, the importance of competition is to learn from competitors. For
example, some company is selling products as soon as they hit the shelf. The other
companies must realize what they are doing wrong and how to improve their own
products. But without competition and a wide variety they would advance slowly in
improving their products. Competition would bring the products to the consumer more
quickly.
To stop monopolies, the Justice Department must find some evidence that proves that a
company was performing illegal business practices. Competition should not lost just
because on company desires to eat up the market.
Microsoft should not be allowed to monopolize the computer software industry because it
would give Microsoft the power to run the Internet. Since there are already many
companies on the Internet they would be destroyed and go bankrupt. "Microsoft can
devastate a rival's market by offering a similar product free or by including a competing
product within Windows" (Associate Press). The other companies would compete for a
little while until Microsoft finally took them over. For right now the software giant is
unstoppable. Microsoft should not be allowed to do this.
Microsoft should not be allowed to monopolize the computer software industry because it
is illegal. Monopoly, according to the Thorndike Barnhardt Dictionary, is defined as "an
exclusive control of a commodity or service". Monopolies are acts of greedy money
lovers. A monopoly in the computer software industry would destroy any chance for a
small company to succeed or bring new ideas into the industry. Equally important, it
would raise the economy sky-high, but it is illegal so it should never be an option. The
only logical option that the Justice Department can take is to prevent Microsoft from
being the only provider of software products. In addition to this, the Justice Department
should foster healthy competition among rival companies. Microsoft should be allowed to
exist but only if they agree to fair and competitive markets. Otherwise, they should be
terminated and cease doing business. Microsoft should not be able to create a monopoly
because it is illegal.
And like a cat landing on its feet, Microsoft so far seems to be escaping disaster. The U.S
Appeals Court handed the software company a major anti-trust victory when it overturned
a preliminary injunction against Microsoft. Microsoft's product must demonstrate a
"plausible" benefit consumers can not get anywhere else. But Microsoft still faces court
battles including two federal lawsuits and many complaints from some twenty states. And
armed with a court victory under their belt, Microsoft seems to be one step closer to being
a monopoly. And now with the heart of the Justice Department's case being taken away
(Newsweek), the computer software giant is practically unstoppable. They should be
stopped, and how should they be stopped? It is up to the Justice Department to use its
evidence against the software company to bury them so that they can never create the
monopoly they so desire. Power to run the Internet, loss of all competitors, and because it
is against the law, Microsoft should not be allowed to monopolize the computer software
industry.