Topic: Neelie Kroes

EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes is targeting Google and IBM for market abuse, which the hosts characterize as a way to siphon money into European coffers. The discussion shifts to a scandal involving French Culture Minister Frédéric Mitterrand and his past visits to sex tourism spots in Thailand. Adam Curry reiterates his theory regarding systemic issues among the European political elite.

The European Union, led by Commissioner Neelie Kroes, fines Intel $1.45 billion for anti-competitive practices against AMD. John C. Dvorak discusses his history with Silicon Valley lawsuits and the potential for further legal trouble for Intel under Sarbanes-Oxley regulations.

EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes is praised for her "hard-ass" approach to antitrust enforcement following a billion-dollar fine against Microsoft. The discussion raises questions about where the collected fine money actually goes, comparing it to RIAA lawsuits where artists claim they never see the settlement funds.

Neelie Kroes, the European Commissioner for Competition, is highlighted for her aggressive stance on antitrust enforcement and cartel busting. A BBC "In Business" report by Peter Day suggests that the European Union has taken over the role of global antitrust regulator as the United States has "dropped the ball." The discussion mentions Kroes's past reputation in the Netherlands and her recent efforts to target price-fixing in various industries, including paraffin wax.

The potential for the European Union to block the merger between American companies Google and DoubleClick raises questions about international regulatory jurisdiction. While the EU cites privacy and competition concerns, it is unclear what practical actions they could take if U.S. entities ignored their rulings. An anecdote about meeting BBC journalist Peter Day describes him as a quintessential old-school reporter who interviewed the hosts about the early days of podcasting.