Microsoft Fined $1.4 Billion

The EU is fining Microsoft $1.4 billion for defying rulings on its "anti-competitive behavior." I didn't get this ruling three years ago, and I still don't. The EU mandated that Microsoft provide rivals with its own source code. On what grounds? Why should any company be forced to distribute its products' source code, particularly to rivals? The EU "concluded ... that Microsoft was guilty of freezing out rivals in products such as media players" even though the world is awash with media players for Windows. In fact one of those competing media players--iTunes--is significantly more popular, in terms of commercial services offered by the player, than the Windows Media Player that has supposedly frozen it out.

I don't claim to be a fan of Microsoft and how they conduct their business. But the EU is being stupid here. They need to keep their noses out of the business of software design.