Why? Not just the fine they are about to impose. Not that Microsoft already gave them the source code in question. (That was a great move by Microsoft BTW.) Not that they haven’t been unfair in how competitors are stifled to the point of bankruptcy. It is all about arrogance.

Don’t get me wrong, Microsoft has enough arrogance to go around plenty. But the prevailing attitude in Europe, at least Germany, France, and Belgium where I have done business, is that they are superior in all things. So be it. We will take our inferior American products and just leave. What would the EU say about that?

Imagine the result of a complete withdrawal from Europe by Microsoft. I am sure that it will impact the bottom line immensely at first. The workers and knowledge there is great, and all that real estate too, but it wouldn’t hurt Microsoft for long. The dropping of some of the language versions will save resources. The marketing, colleague investments, and many other fields of investments, that will be reinvested elsewhere would produce a boom in other areas. Microsoft can easily afford this.

The EU couldn’t. You walk into most businesses, and they are 100% Microsoft. From the front end, to back, Microsoft has infiltrated the entire office. I am writing this on a Microsoft keyboard too. That keyboard like most is being ran by a PC utilizing Microsoft’s XP operating system. The software is of course Microsoft Word. The server that is storing this before publishing is running Microsoft stuff too. The collaboration tool that gets it proofread by others is Microsoft. The only part of the pie that isn’t Microsoft in this case is the web server that you are reading this from. I have seen this exact scenario in every office in Europe I have been in. They need Microsoft. If Microsoft announces a pull out, the business community in the EU will stop them. They will do so by putting boots to the hinnies of the commission. They will mention that their businesses and the entire EU NEEDS Microsoft.

Don’t think that I am saying Microsoft hasn’t been a bully. You look up bully and you will see Microsoft’s picture. I am saying that the EU is trying to weasel Microsoft out to help out some of it’s companies. That is the European way. I just think that Microsoft is fighting a commission that is hell bent on fining it, in an eventual attempt to weaken their grip on Europe. I just say, give it to them now and fast. Make the pain theirs, not Microsoft’s.

Just to be clear, although I am a Microsoft partner, this is my take, not theirs. Just like all of my other articles, and all of choices on what is the best solution for the customer.

Author’s Note – Amazing on the eve of publishing this, new actions are being filed against Microsoft by companies doing business in Europe. I believe my point was driven home!