Microsoft faces fresh antitrust probes in Ireland and Spain

Microsoft is facing more antitrust scrutiny as Spanish competition authorities announced an 18-month review of Redmond’s licensing practices in Spain and Ireland. The Comisión Nacional de la Competencia (CNC) said that the investigation will look into possible restrictions on operating systems licensing in the two countries, …

[Mage]

Fat chance of them being investigated by the Irish Authorities!

[deadlockvictim]

Obligatory Python, Monty post

subhead: Company not expecting the Spanish Inquisition

Well, nobody does. Our chief strength is that of.. (and you lot all know what follows next)

[Anonymous Coward]

Antitrust again?

Or 2 countries on the verge of bankruptcy just trying to bring some money back into the treasury and MS are an easy target?

[LaeMing]

Need the two be mutually exclusive?

[K. Adams]

The Inquisition...

...

Let's believe

The Inquistion

Look out Steve!

We're on a mission

To protect the peeps

...

All those contracts

We're gonna shed some light

All those EULAs

Gotta twist 'em right

And make an offer

That it can't refuse

(That Microsoft just can't refuse!)...

[All names Taken]

You want us to leave?

Okay - we will leave.

Is that what you want?

psst: would you like some increased tax euros instead?

[Steve Davies 3]

Time for Nevada to do the same?

(Where MS Is registered for Corporate Taxation, or lack thereof...) At least the likes of Apple& IBM (US) don't hide in US Tax havens. IBM do hide in Ireland though like Adobe and a host of others.

sorry. fat chance of NV investigation MS. The Casinos have far too much clout.

Now where's the 'Flying Pig' Icon when you need it. (A Flying Sheep one would be just as good is you want to continue the Python theme...)

[Shaun Hunter]

What does MS have to do with Casinos or Nevada?

Being a taxhaven is exactly why Ireland is broke (Spain, Portigal, italy and Greece as well).

[Steve Davies 3]

MS, Casino's & Nevada

Microsoft is registered in Nevada for US Business Taxation purposes.

The State of Nevada imposes ZERO taxes on Business (ie. like Corporation Tax). This is due to the state giving businesses like Casino's a favourable environment to locate there.

This saves them a whole shed load of money. This runs into several billion a year.