IBM v Microsoft - $850M who REALLY won if Anyone?

[! !]

:evil:

In the 1990s, IBM irked Microsoft by selling PCs loaded with its own operating system, OS/2, as an alternative to Windows, and with its SmartSuite productivity software, cutting into the market for Microsoft Office programs. IBM also backed Java, a programming language that doesn't need Windows to run.

Jackson noted that Microsoft retaliated by charging IBM more than other PC makers for copies of Windows.

There were other tactics, too. Months before Windows 95 came out, Microsoft let other PC companies pre-install the operating system on new computers that could go on sale right after the launch. But IBM got its license only 15 minutes before the event.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8B2ONRG0.htm?campaign_id=apn_tech_down

[jwenting]

The only ones who won were the lawyers who got multimillion dollar paychecks out of the farce.
This is the usual result of large civil lawsuits, especially frivollous ones like this where the charged party has done nothing wrong and the accuser tries to get rich over someone else's back...

[server_crash]

Yep, the lawyers REALLY rip people off. Most people cannot afford them, so they say: "Hey, don't worry about paying me right now, but if we win, I get 50%". I think I saw on a television show about this crap a while back, and one lawyer made 900 million a YEAR...All from getting 50% of the wins and from stupid lawsuits.

[jwenting]

Yup. John Edwards (you know, the running mate and financier of John Kerry last year?) makes $500 million a year just from the lawsuits he does himself. He makes even more from his share in the proceeds from his lawfirm.
He specialises in medical cases, chasing ambulances.

[server_crash]

Yup. John Edwards (you know, the running mate and financier of John Kerry last year?)

I know that idiot. I'm embarrassed to say that he's from my state. What makes me hate him more, is the way he tried to recover from a terrible beating during a debate with Cheny.

[jwenting]

I wouldn't call anyone making $500 million a year legally an idiot :)
He's a powermad maniac, and certainly not the person I'd want to hang around with, but he's not an idiot.

[server_crash]

He's been the senator for my state, and I know him. I cannot stand that dude. I laughed when he was getting his butt kicked during a debate up untill he became a sore loser and said something inappropriate.

[jwenting]

My condolences having him as your senator.
Your only comfort can be that it could be worse, it could be Hillary :)

[server_crash]

Your only comfort can be that it could be worse, it could be Hillary :)

:cheesy: :cheesy: :cheesy:

OHHHH NOOOO! And to think that women will probably run for president in the upcoming election....

[jwenting]

:cheesy: :cheesy: :cheesy:

OHHHH NOOOO! And to think that women will probably run for president in the upcoming election....

I knew the so-called "democratic" party (ever noticed that true democrats never call themselves democrats?) were stupid but I didn't think they had a deathwish :mrgreen: :cool: :p

[server_crash]

Actually she's got the popularity to beat almost anyone. The republicans are already preparing to match her if she runs..I'm thinking they will send condoleza rice. It's going to be a sad election year if all these rumors are true, but who knows, she might not even run.

[jwenting]

They've failed to rig the elections in their favour twice already. Unless a lot of people that voted for Bush decide to vote independent in protest against his inaction against the destruction of civil liberties by the US suppreme court I think they'll fail a third time.

[server_crash]

Unless a lot of people that voted for Bush decide to vote independent in protest against his inaction against the destruction of civil liberties by the US suppreme court I think they'll fail a third time.

I would NOT be suprised at all if that happened.

By the way, what kind of government is in the Niederlandes? You seem to know A LOT about ours!

[freesoft_2000]

Hi everyone,

and one lawyer made 900 million a YEAR...All from getting 50% of the wins and from stupid lawsuits.

I think i am in the wrong industry

Richard West

[server_crash]

No you don't, the way that guy made the 900 m's was with frivolous law suits. The kind that's destroying our justice system.