Microsoft Plays Down 'Screw Google' Meetings

There was quite a bit of hubbub last week about Microsoft holding sessions with lobbyists and lawyers in Washington, D.C. with the intent of getting Google into some sort of regulatory trouble. And, as we all know, Microsoft knows all about regulatory trouble.

Well, Microsoft has downplayed -- in fact, denied that it even holds -- what have come to be rather crudely called "screw Google" meetings. Our take on this: Who cares?

The "screw Microsoft" movement in the technology industry has a long and continuing history (and sometimes makes very valid points), so it only seems like a reasonable competitive move for Microsoft to try to help "screw" somebody else, namely one of its biggest competitors.

Of course, we're not fans of overzealous government intervention in any industry, so we kind of wish these meetings weren't even relevant. But they are -- if they're even happening. And is Microsoft doing anything evil by (allegedly) holding them? Nah. It's business as usual. Smart business, actually.

Posted by Lee Pender on September 01, 2009 at 11:55 AM