The Microsoft Monopoly Controversy: A Historical Analysis of Whether Microsoft Was an Illegal Monopoly in the 1990s - Paperback

by Scott a. Stawski (Author)

Was Microsoft an illegal monopoly that engaged in abusive practices during the late 1990's and early 2000's? The debate as to whether Microsoft was an illegal monopoly continues to this day. Microsoft has received much media coverage surrounding the legal cases both in the United States and Europe. This media coverage and some of the initial legal findings concluded that Microsoft was an illegal monopoly with abusive practices. The frequency of this assertion has resulted in a de facto belief in its truth in some circles. However, others cite subsequent legal decisions as well as new developments in the industry over the past decade to assert that Microsoft was not an illegal monopoly, but merely a successful innovator. These advocates believe that Microsoft has a place in history, that it was central to both the PC and the Internet revolutions and that the monopolistic fervor against Microsoft in the 1990s is a cautionary lesson about judicial overreach in a business sector the courts do not understand. The research paper reviews arguments on both sides of the controversy.

Author Biography

Scott A. Stawski is an Author and an Executive for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). Scott is responsible for managing the sales and revenue generation activities for HPE's largest and most strategic global accounts, exceeding $500M in revenue annually. Scott brings a wealth of experience in business outcome-based technology service delivery. He has led numerous multimillion-dollar business intelligence and technology solutions and strategy engagements for Global 500 companies within the health and life science; manufacturing and technology; retail; travel; communication, media, and entertainment; and consumer packaged goods sectors. Prior to joining Hewlett Packard, Scott was a Senior Principal at Knightsbridge, a leading business intelligence consultancy acquired by Hewlett Packard, where he developed business intelligence strategies and platforms for Fortune 500 companies. Before entering technology consulting, Scott held executive and management positions at the CRM consultancy Inforte and newspaper chain Knight Ridder. A trusted advisor for CEOs, CFOs, and CIOs in the Americas, Scott is a recognized expert in analytics and data management, technology strategy, outsourcing, and next-generation application transformation to the cloud. He is the Author of Inflection Point: How the Convergence of Cloud, Mobility, Apps, and Data Will Shape the Future of Business published by Pearson FT Press. A contributing writer for leading media outlets including TheStreet.com, Scott is a speaker and facilitator at many of the leading industry shows and conferences and is frequently interviewed and quoted by leading media outlets, including The Economist, The Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, Editor & Publisher, Crain's Chicago Business, and National Public Radio. Scott is also Secretary of the Board for the Celina Economic Development Council and active with ChildFund International and Shakespeare Dallas and is working towards his Master of Liberal Arts, Extension Studies at Harvard University.