RealNetworks Files $1 Billion Antitrust Suit Against Microsoft

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on December 19, 2003 - 4:39am.

Seattle -- RealNetworks announced late on Thursday that it has filed a $1 billion antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft, alleging the company illegally used its monopoly power to restrict competition, limit consumer choice and attempt to monopolize the growing field of digital media. In its suit, RealNetworks says Microsoft used its influence to "restrict how PC makers install competing media players while forcing every Windows user to take Microsoft's media player, whether they want it or not." By tying its Windows Media Player into its Windows operating system, which comes pre-installed on the majority of the world's PCs, the company has been able to achieve near universal distribution for the Media Player, while using its influence to pressure PC makers and others to ignore its competitors. "While we much prefer competing in the market -- as we are doing and have done for 9 years -- our Board has made a carefully considered business decision to take this action to end Microsoft's illegal conduct and recover substantial damages on behalf of our shareholders," said RealNetworks chairman and CEO Rob Glaser. In addition to an estimated $1 billion in damages, RealNetworks will seek an injunction to prevent Microsoft from further anti-competitive behavior. The company also said it will cooperate with the European Commission's ongoing antitrust investigation of Microsoft. In a statement, Microsoft called RealNetworks' lawsuit "a case where a leading firm is seeking to use the antitrust laws to protect and increase its marketplace share and to limit the competition it must face." http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031218/sfth074_1.html http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031218/sfth095_1.html
http://news.com.com/2009-1014_3-5129426.html http://makeashorterlink.com/?P35023BD6
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-real19dec19.story