Is Microsoft a monopoly? If so, why does it matter?

[rapsuperstar31]

I wont say if Microsoft is a monopoly or not, but yes if they are it would matter. For instance Comcast cable wasn't around as much a few years back, Comcast goes around and buys up as many cable company as they can eliminating thousands of jobs. Fast forward a few years later and I'm paying $150 a month for my cable/internet because there is no competition in the area to bring that price down. Same thing with Ticketmater why in the world do I have to pay double the price of a concert ticket in Ticketmaster fees is very frustrating. If Ticketmaster had some competition that people got behind tickets would be a lot lower. (a lot can be said about Ticketmaster but I wont bring all that up) The ipod is the main reason Apple is really relevant today. The Microsoft Zune comes out and is doing bad so far (similar to the original Xbox (lost billions)) Now if the Zune in the end kills the Ipod Apple may not exist and millions of jobs are lost. One can argue if Nintendo and Sony are bullied out of the video game industry jobs are lost and they can charge whatever they want for games/consoles. Very few companies can come out with a system like the Xbox lose billions and not care. With unemployment as high as it is now we don't need big companies eliminating more jobs by killing off other companies. I can see an argument either way for if Microsoft is a monopoly or not but its easy to answer your question as to if it matters or not.