Google vs. Microsoft

Looks like Microsoft is about to be sued again, or more likely protested against. This time it's Google who has opposed the software giant.

Google is claiming that the desktop search which is included in Windows Operating Systems and now Vista, competes with a free program distributed by Google. "So what?" you may ask. What's the big deal? The problem with this is that when Microsoft decides to couple programs such as desktop search programs and Internet Explorer, it greatly reduces the market for other software vendors such as Mozilla or Netscape who create independent programs. When you think about it, if you have Internet Explorer coupled with your operating system, would you really download Mozilla or Netscape? IT savvy people might, but the general public would not.

I remember doing an assignment about Microsoft and whether it was a Monopoly, an Oligopoly or in a free market. During the research, I went through all the law suits that Microsoft has been involved in. After you go through all the details, you end up really disliking Microsoft.

However, there are always 2 sides to a story. After all, this is a very competitive market! So many programs and so many vendors. Microsoft is just doing business and other companies should just deal with it! Recently I saw a news report in which Microsoft's CEO, Steve Ballmer, was talking about how they watched in amazement (and I guess disappointment!) Google rake in profits after improving their search engine and web mail. Hey, they aren't complaining, they're trying to improve their products, that's all.

At the end of the day, I can't really decide whether Microsoft is trying to become a monopoly. There are reasons for saying so, as well as reasons for not believing it. The conclusion that I came to during my research was also "I can't decide" (which by the way, my supervisor was not happy with!). At the end of the day, you try to be objective. I don't believe that Microsoft is trying to stamp out the competition by unfair methods. They're just trying to make more profit. But I also believe that they will try to cut other programs and vendors wherever possible. After all, that's competition!

Further details about Google's complaint is given here.