Microsoft sued in Italy over "Windows Tax"

Summary: Microsoft's "Windows Tax" comes under legal fire in Europe.

Microsoft's "Windows Tax" comes under legal fire in Europe.

Italian consumer group ADUC (Associazion per i diritti degli utenti e consumatori) has filed a lawsuit against Microsoft, claiming that the process for allowing users to claim a refund for unwanted Windows licenses is too difficult.

OEMs don't escape either [Google Translate]:

We also believe that, although not the hardware manufacturer innocent, the main responsible of the failure is Microsoft itself, which uses its strong position in the market to promote their products in an unlawful manner, to the detriment of users and competition.

The ADUC is calling on those who have been lumbered with unwanted Windows licenses to jump on the lawsuit.

Topics: Government US, Banking, Government, Legal, Microsoft, Operating Systems, Software, Windows

Kick off your day with ZDNet's daily email newsletter. It's the freshest tech news and opinion, served hot. Get it.

Talkback

158 comments
Log in or register to join the discussion
  • RE: Microsoft sued in Italy over

    They are going to lose because this lawsuit makes no sense. First if they have unwanted licenses they can donate them to someone who will use them. Second there is nothing difficult about filling out a form. I don't know why anyone would want a PC without a Microsoft Windows license for it.
    Loverock Davidson
    • RE: Microsoft sued in Italy over

      Why because we have a choice to the OS we want to use.
      Do not feed the troll.
      choyongpil
      • That you do...so why the lawsuit?

        @choyongpil: [i]Why because we have a choice to the OS we want to use.[/i]

        No one is stopping a buyer from buying or building a PC without Windows. It'd be like buying a Macintosh and complaining I can't get one without OS X.
        ye
      • But you do have a choice for the OS you want to use

        @choyongpil
        Are you seriously telling me that there isn't a [b]single[/b] non Windows powered computing device in the entire world?

        Come on. Write this:
        [i]I, choyongpil, believe that it is impossible to buy a computing device that doesn't come with Windows.[/i]

        We could all use a good laugh...

        at you.

        :)
        NonZealot
      • RE: Microsoft sued in Italy over

        Zealot?
        Nice try, try just a little harder next time.
        choyongpil
      • @choyongpil: Awwww, what's the matter?

        Come on. Write this:
        [i]I, choyongpil, believe that it is impossible to buy a computing device that doesn't come with Windows.[/i]

        We could all use a good laugh...

        at you.

        :)

        If you choose not to write that statement, you've just called yourself a liar for what you wrote in response to LD.

        :)
        NonZealot
      • RE: Microsoft sued in Italy over

        Zealot<br>Not good enough, bye troll.
        choyongpil
      • But that is the issue, you do. And besides

        @choyongpil, is it not the manufacturer that decides what they wish to sell their systems with?

        If a company feels it is not profitable enough to sell a system with Linux, instead using Windows exclusively, then that is a business decision the end user must live with?

        Maybe I should sue Ferrari, as I cannot purchase their vehucles with my choice of an engine, or without one. Why must I pay the "Ferrari Tax"?
        :|
        Tim Cook
      • @ye - No...

        "It'd be like buying a Macintosh and complaining I can't get one without OS X."

        No, because HP, Dell, et al didn't make Windows. Furthermore, OS X is bundled for free with the computer.
        olePigeon
      • You are getting owned on 2 different articles at the same time!!

        Poor olePigeon :(

        [i]No, because HP, Dell, et al didn't make Windows.[/i]

        So? Apple didn't make the CPU, RAM, hard drive, graphics card, LCD panel, etc. in the Mac yet I certainly can't get a Mac without being forced to pay for those items!

        [i]Furthermore, OS X is bundled for free with the computer.[/i]

        OS X costs $129 on the shelf. It is bundled for free with the purchase of a Mac.

        Windows costs $129 on the shelf. It is bundled for free with the purchase of some models of Dells.

        Cue the double standards...
        NonZealot
      • And another point for you olePigeon, just to further humiliate you

        [i]Furthermore, OS X is bundled for free with the computer.[/i]

        The Intel CPU is bundled for free with the Mac.

        The Western Digital hard drive is bundled for free with the Mac.

        The Kingston RAM is bundled for free with the Mac.

        So what exactly are you paying for? Are you paying $1,200 for the label of the multi-national, multi-billion $$$/year mega-corporation and everything else is "free"? Does that mean that I can ask Apple for a Mac, hold the logo, and I'll get it for free?

        Idiot.
        NonZealot
      • RE: Microsoft sued in Italy over

        olePigeon,
        My first computer was an Apple Mac that ran off floppies, was awesome. Cheapest computer I could find.
        daikon
      • RE: Microsoft sued in Italy over

        @choyongpil Because, numb nuts only 1% of the population seems to be choosing an OS other than Linux on a computer. This lawsuit is just plain stupid... If I were MS I wouldn't provide licenses to any OEM that sold in Italy that way anyone that bought one couldn't complain.
        slickjim
      • RE: Microsoft sued in Italy over

        Peter Perry,
        You might want to go back an read what you typed. (Because, numb nuts only 1% of the population seems to be choosing an OS other than Linux on a computer).
        Who is really the numb nuts now?
        daikon
      • Re: MacOS Bundled Free

        @olePigeon

        First of all that is not true despite what Apple tells you. The cost is absorbed into the price of the computer. Basically marking up their so called hardware to cover the cost. Classic bait and switch and you fell for it. Now don't you feel silly?

        Second of all, using that logic if Microsoft were to offer their own branded computer using the same core components as Apple, Dell, HP, or other OEMs and only offered Windows and nothing else I guaran-damn-tee you that the lawsuits would pile in. I know NonZealot repeats his "double standards" posts a lot but what makes it sad is that people are content to ignore it and let Apple force themselves upon you and basically say My Way or the Highway.

        I too do not like what most OEMs offer and you know what I did? I went somewhere else and built my own computer because I have that freedom and choice. And before you say that not everyone can build a computer I will have to call BS. It is like assembling legos these days and besides I would be willing to bet there are at least some computer shops in Italy that sell "whitebox" computers without an Operating system. I know there are tons in the US. Also they want a computer without an operating system and feel comfortable installing Linux but cannot assemble a computer? Yeah, I believe that.
        bobiroc
      • I believe others have adequately address the stupidity of this response.

        @olePigeon: [i]No, because HP, Dell, et al didn't make Windows. Furthermore, OS X is bundled for free with the computer.[/i]
        ye
      • RE: Microsoft sued in Italy over

        This is good news.

        Notice NonZealot is all over this blog, panicking. lol - :D
        LTV10
      • Loverock Davidson is too, shall we say out of touch with reality to

        understand the "WORD" choice. They call him pay through the nose Davidson for a reason.
        Linux_Lives
      • RE: Microsoft sued in Italy over

        @Loverock Davidson

        Apple is just another PC with a different OS. Dell doesn't make their own OS and neither does the other vendors. If they did I'd expect behavior like Apples but they sell hardware. Wouldn't it make more sense to just sell the hardware with the option to get the Windows. I'm sure most would pick it, not really a big deal. Make me wonder why they are suing Microsoft though, this the Hardware vendors decision.
        voska1
      • NonZealot freaks out - LOL

        [i]Loverock Davidson is too, shall we say out of touch with reality to understand the "WORD" choice. They call him pay through the nose Davidson for a reason.[/i]

        Nobody takes Lovey Dovey seriously. He's the kind of idiot M$ has been hiring the last few years. Nothing new there.

        ~

        So NonZealot is panicking, huh? Yes that is great!

        LOL...

        I hope Italy sues the pants off M$. Takes 'em to the cleaners. Maybe then, they can the rest of the EU to go along.
        ahh so