The judge in the microsoft case is mulling over possible penalties that could include Microsoft delivering a reduced OS.

This would mean that computer makers could choose which application software to include on their computers.

In theory, the stripped-down version of Windows would cost PC makers less to license, and they would be paid a bounty for middleware placement by AOL, RealNetworks and other software developers.

Microsoft hates it, DeGroot said. Now, instead of selling OEMs just the OS, they have to sell the OS and buy a spot on the desktop–something they used to get for free and could do at any time…

Does Microsoft really think it’s going to get off without any significant punishment? ***Think ATT***.