An analysis of the monopoly of Microsoft in the software business.
This paper discusses whether the monopoly of Microsoft in the software business is detrimental for consumers. The paper presents the government’s case against Microsoft and examines whether the government’s actions are justified. The impact on the marketplace is described and differing opinions are offered, regarding the positive and negative aspects of the monopoly.
“Most everyone knows the history of Microsoft. Founded by two college students, Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975, it now is the world’s largest software company. Its Windows operating system is standard on most desktop computers and together with Intel, supplies the operating systems and computer chips to approximately ninety percent of the world’s computers. Microsoft has made thousands of people very wealthy, especially its founder, Bill Gates, who has remained on the top of the list of the world’s richest people. Microsoft has used its dominance to induce PC makers, which survival depends on its operating system, into using other Microsoft products, especially its Web browser.”