Sorry if this been posted before but HA...

[Lord_Stewie]

Hello my fellow Blu-Rayers.

so although wall street journal and nypost mentioned that paramount accepted 150 million dollars from MS based on incentives. now MS claims that they didn't bribe Paramount.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/08/27...pay-off-rumor/

might I add is this wacky circus ever going to stop.
this looks rather suspecious.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8Kyi0WNg40

[Mr.Neutral]

The most plausible explanation I've seen is that the 150 mil is based in incentives.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by shadblz

Hello my fellow Blu-Rayers.

so although wall street journal and nypost mentioned that paramount accepted 150 million dollars from MS based on incentives. now MS claims that they didn't bribe Paramount.

...Oh, well, that PROVES it!

(Hey, I'm convinced!)

[BluBerry]

Originally Posted by shadblz

Hello my fellow Blu-Rayers.

so although wall street journal and nypost mentioned that paramount accepted 150 million dollars from MS based on incentives. now MS claims that they didn't bribe Paramount.

They can deny all they want, but the fact is every thinking person who's been following this format war knows or at least suspects Microsoft is behind this. As has been said before, it's as simple as following the money trail.

[CAB]

Yeah, M$ didn't write the check. The HD-DVD Group did. Hmm, wonder who's funding them and their 100% losses. I also wonder what division of Microsoft is funding HD-DVD Group.

[red_5ive]

This coming from a company that also claimed only 3% of Xbox 360's were defective, then turned around and extended the 360 warranty for damage control?

My 360 was victim of the red-ring-of-death. When I sent it back using Best Buy's extended warranty service, the girl on the phone slipped and said "Oh, another 360".

[WickyWoo]

Microsoft wrote the HD DVD group/Toshiba a check, who then wrote Paramount a check

[Lord_Stewie]

it is a monopoly in play. yet they have the nerves to deny it. do they actually that the consumers are dumb.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

Microsoft wrote the HD DVD group/Toshiba a check, who then wrote Paramount a check

As Scott Hentrick already pointed out, Toshiba doesn't HAVE $150M to throw around for mad-money--Which narrows down the suspects.

(And although Kevin Collins claims MS didn't sign the check, Hentrick also cites Amir as saying MS didn't, either...So who do we believe?)

[56@Yamamoto]

Of course European antitrust agency will require THE DISCLOSURE soon.

[GasCat]

Toshiba gave the payout. Yes, it will likely be up to the EU as this is clearly collusion between members of a cartel. We don't even have an Attorney General now. Don't be surprised if the BDA has done similar things.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/21/te.../21disney.html
"The incentives will come in a combination of cash and promotional guarantees. Toshiba, for instance, will use the release of “Shrek the Third” as part of an HD DVD marketing campaign."

All we had to do was promote Paramount movies? Oh man....I find that hard to believe.

[Papi4baby]

Maybe it was Universal(GE) they have the money. What to do when feelign lonely, pay someone to keep you company,

[Lord_Stewie]

Originally Posted by GasCat

Toshiba gave the payout. Yes, it will likely be up to the EU as this is clearly collusion between members of a cartel. We don't even have an Attorney General now. Don't be surprised if the BDA has done similar things.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/21/te.../21disney.html
"The incentives will come in a combination of cash and promotional guarantees. Toshiba, for instance, will use the release of “Shrek the Third” as part of an HD DVD marketing campaign."

All we had to do was promote Paramount movies? Oh man....I find that hard to believe.

i know. but its only less 17 month and 14 days approximately till we see a bd release from paramount.

[What'sHD]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

Microsoft wrote the HD DVD group/Toshiba a check, who then wrote Paramount a check

I think the smart thing for MS to have done (and what they probably did) is ask the hd-dvd group to use existing funds to get Para and assured them that they would add more cash to the coffers when needed.

This way, no cash can be traced as going from MS to the hd-dvd group in the time leading to the switch. Its a given that MS did not pass cash to Para but they knew that hd-dvd group passing MS' newly-transferred cash to Para to deny BD its movies is quite bad too, legally.

I see it as something along these lines:

"hey, you know we want to hold back BD and thus the PS3, so rest assured we will come up with cash when you run out. So, start shoveling your green to Para while we shovel FUD on AVS etc. Expect a donation to the group from us as a Xmas gift, after we have stalled the anti-trust investigation, if any. Muahahaha" (holding pinkie in mouth)

[Lord_Stewie]

Originally Posted by What'sHD

I think the smart thing for MS to have done (and what they probably did) is ask the hd-dvd group to use existing funds to get Para and assured them that they would add more cash to the coffers when needed.

This way, no cash can be traced as going from MS to the hd-dvd group in the time leading to the switch. Its a given that MS did not pass cash to Para but they knew that hd-dvd group passing MS' newly-transferred cash to Para to deny BD its movies is quite bad too, legally.

I see it as something along these lines:

"hey, you know we want to hold back BD and thus the PS3, so rest assured we will come up with cash when you run out. So, start shoveling your green to Para while we shovel FUD on AVS etc. Expect a donation to the group from us as a Xmas gift, after we have stalled the anti-trust investigation, if any. Muahahaha" (holding pinkie in mouth)

no denying this fact that the HDDVD group were smart and still are, they are looking for every single loophole to start profiting and benefiting more. I HAVE SAID IT BEFORE AND WILL DO THE SAME AGAIN THAT THE BD GROUP NEEDS TO START GROWING SOME BALLS, AND DO WHATEVER NECESSARY TO HURT HDDVD SALES EVEN MORE. Even if it include bribing a studio off. I mean why not go to Universal studios and work a plan with them to benefit both parties. that way, if universal accepts it would tell the consumers that studios are in the game for the profit and that "the consumers" should start supporting the better format of both. and that is none other than BD.

[jayd]

Well the EU, could possibly be looking into this now, and definately don't like this sort of behaviour, and could force Paramount to release Blu-ray discs in Europe. They believe in fair competition, not illegal bribes. But by the time an investigation is done, and sorted, the 18 month contract could be up.But we could see a few fines handed out especially to M$, is it is found they are involved. What is it with this company, do they think they are above the law?

[Lord_Stewie]

Originally Posted by jayd

Well the EU, could possibly be looking into this now, and definately don't like this sort of behaviour, and could force Paramount to release Blu-ray discs in Europe. They believe in fair competition, not illegal bribes. But by the time an investigation is done, and sorted, the 18 month contract could be up.But we could see a few fines handed out especially to M$, is it is found they are involved. What is it with this company, do they think they are above the law?

I lost counts of how many times MS been fined by the EU. to be honest i don't think MS cares. it sucks that MS all that money to spare.

[jayd]

Originally Posted by shadblz

I lost counts of how many times MS been fined by the EU. to be honest i don't think MS cares. it sucks that MS all that money to spare.

But the EU also has the right to ban trade. Very last resort mind, but one day, they might just get sick of the way M$ acts, and enforce it. But we could only dream.

[gand41f]

Originally Posted by jayd

But the EU also has the right to ban trade. Very last resort mind, but one day, they might just get sick of the way M$ acts, and enforce it. But we could only dream.

That wouldn't be a sad day. No sir, not at all.

enjoy
gandalf

[schticker]

Originally Posted by EricJ

As Scott Hentrick already pointed out, Toshiba doesn't HAVE $150M to throw around for mad-money--Which narrows down the suspects.

(And although Kevin Collins claims MS didn't sign the check, Hentrick also cites Amir as saying MS didn't, either...So who do we believe?)

What I believe is that if Toshiba did pay them off, nobody here would complain. This seems to revolve around MS for some reason.

Guys - They are not set up to be a "monopoly" anymore. A successful company with money has a great deal of influence in the consortium. They are doing what Apple would do, if they cared about this more than their core business.