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===Rapid Growth in 2000 to present===
===Rapid Growth in 2000 to present===
Bill Gates created a new position in the company and assumed the role of Chief Software Architect in 2000 until 2006<ref>[http://people.forbes.com/profile/bill-gates/11334 Chief Software Architect]</ref> and dedicated his time in developing the next generation of Windows Internet platform and services. While serving as Chief Software Architect, Gates remain Chairman of the company. Different Microsoft product were launched such as Microsoft Office XP, Microsoft XBox, Microsoft Visual Studio .Net, Microsoft Visual J#.Net, Visual C++.Net, Visual Basic.Net, MSN 8, Tablet PC and many other products. The company also expanded its operations and maintains offices in more than 100 countries worldwide. Microsoft also made numerous mergers and acquisitions.The company's 2010 reported revenue was $ 62.5 billion.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/22/microsoft-revenue-4q-2010_n_656278.html Microsoft 4Q Revenue 2010]</ref>
===Law Suits (1990s)===
==Acqusitions==
Microsoft's largest aquisitions include:<ref>[http://www.businessinsider.com/microsofts-15-biggest-acquisitions-so-far-2011-5#1-aquantive-advertising-software-and-services-for-6-billion-15 Microsoft 15 Biggest Acqusitions]</ref>
* aQuantive, advertising software and services-$ 6 billion
* Navision accounting software- $1.45 billion
* Visio, design and charting software- $1.3 billion
* FAST Search and Transfer, enterprise search specialists- $1.2 billion
* Great Plains accounting software- $940 million
* TellMe voice technology- $800 estimate
* Danger (mobile software and services-) $500 million estimate
* Greenfield Online (CIAO)-$485 million
* Web TV - $425 million
* Hotmail- $400 million estimate
* Rare (game developer)-$375 million
* LinkExchange (paid search company)- $265 million
* Massive (in-game advertising)- $ 280 million estimate
* Placeware (virtual meeting service)- $200 million estimate
* Groove- $171 million
===Legal Battles===
The U.S. Department of Justice started to investigate Microsoft Corp., regarding allegations of monopolistic practices in the PC software market.<ref>[http://library.thinkquest.org/22522/timeline4b_en.html Computer Chronicles]</ref> In 1997 and 1998,the US Department of Justice alleged that Microsoft violated a 1994 consent decree regarding the licensing of the Windows operating system to computer manufacturers, and violations of Section 1 and Section 2 of the Sherman Act for illegal business practices and for illegally protecting and extending the Windows software monopoly respectively.<ref>[http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/law/july-dec98/microsoft_11-12a.html U.S. vs Microsoft]</ref>
The U.S. Department of Justice started to investigate Microsoft Corp., regarding allegations of monopolistic practices in the PC software market.<ref>[http://library.thinkquest.org/22522/timeline4b_en.html Computer Chronicles]</ref> In 1997 and 1998,the US Department of Justice alleged that Microsoft violated a 1994 consent decree regarding the licensing of the Windows operating system to computer manufacturers, and violations of Section 1 and Section 2 of the Sherman Act for illegal business practices and for illegally protecting and extending the Windows software monopoly respectively.<ref>[http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/law/july-dec98/microsoft_11-12a.html U.S. vs Microsoft]</ref>