Because I like to collect references, here are a few

Story: Windows refund - the next episode: Thoughts on a 2007 pan-European actionTotal Replies: 0
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schestowitz

Feb 28, 2007
4:22 PM EDT
France is already taking action:

French consumer group attacks PC software bundling

,----[ Quote ] | UFC-Que Choisir legal officer Sandra Wouhling said current | practice effectively forced ordinary consumers to buy computers | using Microsoft operating systems whereas companies anda | dministrations were offered a real choice. `----

http://yahoo.reuters.com/news/articlehybrid.aspx?storyID=urn... http://tinyurl.com/yf7kfu

French consumer protectionists are demanding PCs without preinstalled software

,----[ Quote ] | The consumer protectionists of the French organization UFC-Que Choisir | are demanding of the IT group Hewlett-Packard and the vendors Auchan | and Darty that they offer PCs without preinstalled software. | | [...] | | UFC-Que Choisir last year also took action against Sony and Apple, | taking the two companies to court for allegedly putting their | customers at a disadvantage through proprietary DRM technologies | and curtailing their choice of devices. `----

http://www.heise.de/english/newsticker/news/82605/from/rss09

Here is some further proof, as if any more is needed, that Microsoft's tactics are all too deliberate.

Microsoft Shuts Down Linux 10 Years Ago Says Iowa Attorne

,----[ Quote ] | Going back now to as early as 1998, Microsoft starts to realize that | Linux might pose a possible threat, and Vinod Valloppillil, who is | a program manager at Microsoft, is asked by Mr. Allchin, Jim Allchin, | to analyze potential strategies for combatting open-source software, | and specifically Linux. | His memos are leaked to the press in April -- I beg your pardon -- | in October of 1998 and become known as the Halloween documents. | And the evidence will be that Microsoft uses its influence in the | OEM channel, the computer manufacture channel, to make sure that | end users have a difficult time buying PCs with Linux preinstalled. `----

http://www.linuxelectrons.com/News/RoundUp/Microsoft_Shuts_D...

Microsoft's Dirty OEM-Secret

,----[ Quote ] | They are, in short the secret to Microsoft's success. And the word | secret is to be taken quite literally: No OEM may talk about the | contents of his contract, or he will lose his license, and (assumption) | likely be sued for breach of contract as well. `----

http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2001/10/23/13219/110

Jury Hears Microsoft Competition Suit

,----[ Quote ] | A judge on Friday told jurors they must accept as fact that a | federal court found in 1999 that Microsoft holds a monopoly over | computer operating systems and that it restricted computer | manufacturers' ability to use competing systems. | | [...] | | She said she'll show that the company used its monopoly power | to exclude competition and control prices and that it conspired with | other companies to restrain trade, maintaining what she called a | chokehold on software competitors and computer manufacturers. `----

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/061201/microsoft_trial.html?.v=1

Lastly, here is where Dell fits in:

Did Microsoft want to 'whack' Dell over its Linux dealings? [url=http://news.com.com/Did Microsoft want to whack Dell over its Linux dealings/2100-1014_3-6153904.html]http://news.com.com/Did Microsoft want to whack Dell over it...[/url]

Dell's secret Linux fling [sabotaged by Microsoft] http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/01/09/dell_linux_china/

Microsoft 'killed Dell Linux' - States http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/03/19/microsoft_killed_del...

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