In a ground-breaking decision on Friday, Federal District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson decided against Microsoft Corporation in the government’s anti-trust lawsuit.

Jackson still needs to determine exactly which antitrust laws Microsoft is guilty of violating, but one thing is clear from the ruling: Microsoft is a monopoly that has engaged in unfair business practices by preventing innovative products from reaching the market and punishing competitors.

The creature that Bill Gates created is now in serious danger of being taken apart by the federal government just as AT&T and Standard Oil were.

The reaction of the public is mixed at this point. In an Associated Press article, sentiments ranged from satisfaction that Microsoft will be punished to disappointment that the government is punishing a successful business.

It has long been considered a truism that the business of America is business.

It not only seems shocking that the United States would punish a successful business simply for being successful, it is laughable.

The United States has historically stepped in the way of big business as little as possible, allowing it to run rough shod over workers, the environment and smaller nations.

Microsoft is so entrenched, new technology is often developed with the Windows operating system in mind.

If that doesn’t seem out of line to you, then nothing Microsoft does will.

It is the responsibility of our government to step in when the interests of the public are at stake.

According to an Associated Press article, Microsoft illegally tied consumers to its browser by packaging it with their operating system; it attempted to illegally divide the market between itself and Netscape; it forced computer makers to sell Internet Explorer as part of Windows and signed restrictive agreements with Internet providers to exclude Netscape; Gates e-mailed Intuit Chairman Scott Cook with what the government believes is tantamount to a bribe if the company would include Microsoft’s browser as part of Quicken and the list goes on.

If these actions are not contrary to public interest then nothing is.

Perhaps it is the nature of the game that makes it difficult for many Americans to understand how Bill Gates’ actions are harmful.

Here is a simplification.

There is little more precious to the people of this country than the freedom to choose, and Bill Gates did his best to undermine that freedom.

Sure, Gates’ success is impressive, and his innovations have revolutionized communications, but who can honestly say what innovations have been deprived us by his interference?

Iowa State Daily Editorial Board: Sara Ziegler, Greg Jerrett, Kate Kompas and Carrie Tett.