In the particular cases that went though the European courts it was deemed that putting Microsoft software onto PCs for free gave them a possible monopoly over the supply of software... to PCs. So they can now only put 'free samples' on - you then have to choose to purchase the product or not.

It seems to me, and quite a few other people I know, that the way that Apple insist that only their software can be run on their machinery - and only their shops can repair their products - is exactly the same situation, possibly more so, as it is quite possible to run non-Microsoft software on your PC.

And as this seems to means that, should I need a new battery in an iPhone or any other Apple product, I would be required to spend a lot of money to travel by either sea or air to my nearest Apple shop (rather than just nipping to the local telecom shop in my lunchbreak)I think I'll stick with my Acer computer, my Samsung netbook, and my Nokia phone... :)