Microsoft and Parking.
Once again Microsoft has agreed to
settle another anti-trust lawsuit.
They seem to be using the same algorithm for committing
antitrust violations that I have used for parking in New York City.
Fines for NYC parking violations
in midtown Manhattan range from $55 to $105
(assuming you are not in a tow-away zone)
and paid parking at a parking garage costs about $20 for a reasonable
amount of time.
This means that if you get caught less than 20% of the time,
it is worthwhile to park
illegally and pay your fines
rather than pay for legal parking at a garage.
My experience is that I get a parking ticket less than
10% of the time (especially if it's raining or snowing),
so parking illegally in Manhattan is a very worthwhile
proposition.
Likewise, Microsoft runs a hugely profitable business
by breaking the law and then paying paltry fines for doing so.