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Monopolies
Based on the definition of a monopoly, which is characterized by having only one seller in a specific market, having a differentiated product, and having an extremely difficult entry into the market, Microsoft is considered to be a monopoly in the personal computer operating systems market. Currently there are no products that consumers could substitute for the Intel-compatible PC operating systems that Microsoft sells and there are not any companies that could begin selling Intel-compatible PC operating systems in the near future for a price that would be competitive and give consumers a reasonable alternative to Microsoft's products. Microsoft also pressured Intel to not produce any products that would compete with Microsoft. Since there is only one company that is controlling the licensing of all Intel-compatible PC operating systems, that company can potentially set the license price above that which would be charged in a more competitive market, and there is no incentive for them to lower their sales price. Customers do not have options and are forced to buy from Microsoft if they want to have an Intel-compatible PC. This makes Microsoft's level of market power overwhelming.
The Sherman Act states that no person can "monopolize or attempt to monopolize, or combine or conspire with any other person to monopolize any part of the trade or commerce among the several States..."
The United States government charged Microsoft with violating many of the antitrust laws on the books. Specifically, Microsoft was charged with monopolizing the computer operating system market; integrating the Internet Expl ...