Microsoft the Monopoly

What is a monopoly? According to Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, a monopoly is:

However, if you were to ask Netscape, Sun Microsystems, or Apple Computer, you might get a different answer; Microsoft. Microsoft is a company; a company that makes computer software- including the most widely used operating system (OS) in the world, Windows. Microsoft, a monopoly, is not supportive of innovation, causes increased prices, and offers lower quality products.


What is a monopoly, and are they illegal?
Why is Microsoft as a monopoly a good/bad thing?
Has Microsoft always been a monopoly?
How do monopolies form, and how do they affect the economy?
What are some other monopolies?
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