defending Bill Gates the consumer

["Lewis A. Mettler" <lmettler@lamlaw.com>]

As has been shown on this list defending Bill Gates as a consumer is
easy to do.

It has been shown that Bill Gates himself when acting as a consumer can
and is harmed by the bundling of IE and Network technologies with
Windows.

There is one thing that is very easy to do when looking at the various
arguments on principal and position.  The argument or principal almost
always gives away the side one is defending.

Clearly I have claimed to represent the consumer. My articles on Bill
Gates illustrate that.

Those who argue for bundling are more likely than not supporting
Microsoft Corporation. They are like the salesman paid on commission
where the higher the sale the bigger the paycheck.  Clearly salesman on
commission would argue that only large suites be offered to consumers.

So.  I assume that everyone supporting that position is in fact
"selling".  They may not disclose who they represent but the fact
remains that they do not represent consumers but rather sellers and
promoters.  Maybe they own too much stock.  Maybe they have a business
plan that rides the coat-tails of the monopolist.  Or, maybe they are
simply hired by Microsoft to secretly make arguments on public forums
that benefit Microsoft.  It does not really matter which it is.

The truth is that they do not represent the interests of consumers. 
Their only goal is to force the sale of products.

-- 
Lewis A. Mettler, Esq.(Attorney and Software Developer)
lmettler@LAMLaw.com
http://www.lamlaw.com/ (detailed review of the Microsoft antitrust
trial)