Microsoft's Lawyers Make Scary Salespeople

In some previous posts, I've tried to give Microsoft credit for things it does well or is at least attempting to do well. I thought Microsoft was making some significant strides in reinventing itself and, more importantly, listening to the consumer. I don't want to be characterized as a Microsoft-hater. It's easy to thoughtlessly attack the big targets. Even as one who prefers to use Macintosh computers, I recognize and appreciate the contributions Microsoft has made to personal computing over the years. Plus, I never supported the constant legal attacks Microsoft has faced for the better part of the last decade.

That's why Microsoft associate general counsel's recent attack on Google has me dumbfounded.

The crux of the statement is that Google is a leech. They don't produce any content of their own; they only benefit off of the content produced by others. Not content to leave it at that, the counsel switched gears and pointed to the entity which had problems before Google bought it and has promised to fix, YouTube, and claimed that this acquisition is proof that publishers have reason to fear Google. By the way, use Microsoft's product, instead.

The benefits of the Semantic Web Google strives to help realize are not even mentioned. The amount of work that Google has poured into its search capabilities and other tools (such as free analytical tools Microsoft wants you to pay for) is considered inconsequential for the sake of this argument. Never mind that the analytic tools Google provides helps make businesses and Web users -- and therefore the economy -- more efficient. What matters the most is that Microsoft feels like it is losing.

Complaining like this doesn't portray market strength. It comes across as whining. When a company takes out its frustrations by bashing the competition instead of making better products for their consumers, it's like blood in the water. Quit worrying about what the competition isn't doing -- stop raising phantom threats -- and just work to provide something better. - Cam Beck

Comments

[Paul McEnany]

I'm always shocked when microsoft sucks at something. Oh, wait, no I'm not.

I guess they just don't understand the long tail at all. Amazon doesn't really create anything, but they do add value. Same with Ebay. And google's the best of it.

[Gavin Heaton]

Too right! If Microsoft spent more of its energies just creating new products that we all loved, then Google wouldn't even be part of the equation.

[Gavin Heaton]

Hooray! Comments are back!

[Cam Beck]

Hey Gav - Exactly. I would be content if my PC would just stop freezing up on me.