How The Crisis Should Have Been Avoided?

During this scandal, technology such as the internet and the world wide web were quickly developing and it was unknown at the time how quickly this industry was going to grow. Since the internet technology industry was in its infancy, there were few government regulations. Microsoft was one company that was advancing their technology to incorporate the internet as quickly as possible so they could beat out their competition. By incorporating the internet technology with in their operating system it was creating a monopoly in this area of the marketplace. Microsoft was trying to make their operating system the one to go with for ease of use with all the features it offered consumers. Unfortunately for Microsoft, it leaded to unethical business practices. Also, during this time so many competitors were trying to get their product out so they could be the first in the industry to gain customer loyal on their internet browsers.

How the Crisis Should Have Been Avoided?

Since Microsoft was trying to become a monopoly within the technology market. They tried to achieve this monopoly by combining their operating system Microsoft Office and their internet browser Internet Explorer together in one convenient package. But the company should have followed the rules of the Sherman Antitrust Act which states “(1) the possession of monopoly power in the relevant market and (2) the willful acquisition or maintenance of that power as distinguished from growth or development as a consequence of a superior product, business acumen, or historic accident.'' (53 Anonymous April 4, 2000). Looking at this Act and the actions of Microsoft it is clear that the company was trying to create a monopoly over other companies that sold web browsers. By not bundling Internet Explorer and Microsoft Office together the entire crisis could have been