More on Microsoft: The WSJ reports the DOJ and SEC are examining allegations from a former...

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deercreekvols Comments (2921)
 
Any comment from Bill Gates, the non-executive Chairman? Microsoft involved in bribery case, possibly, is big news.
Is he too busy plotting with Mayor Bloomberg about what is best for everyone to comment.
19 Mar, 01:36 PM Reply Like

TheRabble Comments (59)
 
I think Bill has had his fill of BS from the DOJ since the monopoly accusations concerning Internet Explorer being the next "killer app." Give me a break. The main reason he stepped down was probably so he didn't have to deal with these nincompoops.
19 Mar, 03:57 PM Reply Like

Noreika Comments (379)
 
Nice one Deer! Gates is a little rat weasel.
19 Mar, 06:27 PM Reply Like

deercreekvols Comments (2921)
 
Not sure why he stepped down, I just wish he would stop believing that he and his billionaires club know what is best for everyone.
I saw him side-by-side with Bloomberg and the two of them were scary.

I fully support their global initiative, but I do not believe that he and the mayor should be telling me how much soda I can buy.
19 Mar, 06:42 PM Reply Like

techy46 Comments (3912)
 
Hear we go again and the US will shoot itself in the foot again. Next the EU socialists will want to fine Microsoft for bribing the Chinese.
19 Mar, 10:54 PM Reply Like

techy46 Comments (3912)
 
At least Gates hasn't died from his arrogance like Jobs did!
19 Mar, 10:55 PM Reply Like

JayXu Comments (206)
 
I am Chinese. It is pretty hard to do business in China without bribing local officials. I am very sure all US companies in China are doing bribery one way or another, more or less.
19 Mar, 01:45 PM Reply Like

jimdart Comments (102)
 
I do business in China as well and sometimes its more about the bribes than the official pay.
19 Mar, 03:28 PM Reply Like

TheRabble Comments (59)
 
This is how various corrupt government entities are used as tools extract extortion money from our corporations... They make public spectacles like this. At least the Chinese are discreet about it.
19 Mar, 03:43 PM Reply Like

JayXu Comments (206)
 
Off topic a bit. The biggest victims are Chinese people, not the US companies.
19 Mar, 03:57 PM Reply Like

TheRabble Comments (59)
 
The Chinese people were victims long before the US had anything to do with that backwards country.
19 Mar, 04:01 PM Reply Like

moneyTalksBSWalks Comments (169)
 
Bribes are the ONLY way to do business in many parts of the world. The US is delusional if it thinks otherwise. Other than delusion there is also plain hypocrisy here. Lobbying=bribing, giving an activity a fancy name does not change the underlying dirtiness of the activity. Changing the name of Kentucky Fried Chicken to KFC does not convert it to a health food!
19 Mar, 08:19 PM Reply Like

Sam Liu Comments (2794)
 
"The biggest victims are Chinese people, not the US companies."

When have the Cn populus not absorbed all the pain of incompetency (I hate the word victim, only used in the USA).
19 Mar, 10:24 PM Reply Like

Jonc Comments (33)
 
What world are you living in.... Work in the third world and you Have to pay to play... There are exception but they are as rare as the snow leopard...

The US banks ( and almost every other US industry ) Pays to play every election cycle and not small change... and the same politicians (or their hired help) doing the investigations on overseas shenanigans of Microsoft"s or Walmart's in country hired help ... It would seem they could save a lot of time by investigating the outrageous behavior of local lobbyists (read Washington law firms and national accountants and bankers)

These are actually tempests in a teapot not like Jamie Diamond tempest in a teapot...6 Plus billion and counting...

The government and their enforcement would seem more cost effective investigating somewhere they have clout and subpoena power...

Nothing a makes a Chinese official quake in his boots more than a Washington based investigation.... They will not get a self respecting Chinese official to admit that they have dog-po on their shoe if you stick your nose in it...

This is piece is class one "give me a break" journalism...

So give us SA readers a break...

Regards
19 Mar, 03:19 PM Reply Like

rjgood Comments (177)
 
"International Business Machines Corp agreed in 2011 to pay $10 million to resolve SEC charges over improper gifts to government officials in South Korea and China, but is still waiting for a judge to sign off on the deal"

It is unfortunate that back-room deals happen, but I believe JayXu that it might be common (or even required.)
19 Mar, 05:54 PM Reply Like

dividend_growth Comments (2748)
 
In China, ALL government sites ONLY support IE.

That should tell you something.
19 Mar, 08:26 PM Reply Like

John-Michael Scott Comments (43)
 
In complete agreement that across substantial portions of the world - Bribery is the only way. I've always been fascinated by the on-going approach and distinction that the US Government attempts to make on this. Bribery occurs in the US in many ways as well not all of which are considered illegal. I'm Pro US, but Against taking a puritanical view on how "the world" works.

That being said - regardless of my feelings on this - I would expect some sort of settlement and in turn some "fall guys/girls" thrown under the bus with a nice severance as a result of all this. The Fed loves a nice recognizable name to make a poster child out of. I wouldn't be surprised if some sort of a $10 million settlement came into play based on past precedent. In the grand scheme of things - this will be a rounding error in front of the price of the stock.

I question whether it really matters in front of a company that is essentially a cash-cow in a fading business model - there are much bigger challenges for Microsoft than this.
20 Mar, 06:04 AM Reply Like

Seppo2 Comments (716)
 
Cost of doing business, a little bit extra revenue for the government and feel good political posturing.
20 Mar, 07:31 AM Reply Like

crider145 Comments (24)
 
It's ironic that the US government penalizes corporations for bribery by extorting money from them.
3 May, 09:48 AM Reply Like