Microsoft Essay, Research Paper

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.