So If you do not want a computer with Windows you are entitled to getting the money back that have been added to the computer for the cost of Microsoft Windows
The Italian Supreme Court (Corte di Cassazione) issued a judgment1 that bans the "Microsoft tax," a commercial practice that discourages users from converting their PCs to GNU/Linux or other free operating systems by forcing them to pay for a Windows license with their PCs. PC producers in Italy now cannot refuse to refund the price of the license to purchasers that will not run Windows.
One stubborn Italian Consumer Association ADUC filed a complaint against a hardware producer - and won!
This is a great day for free competition and the beginning of the end to Microsoft's monopoly on the computers.
This end has been somewhat written on the wall anyway after the launch of Windows 8 - but now people are entitled to chose Operative systems.
This ruling is not against Windows only, it goes for any device with a pre-installed software. In reality this is only a problem with the OS though.
According to the Supreme Court, any commercial practice that prevents the user from getting a refund "..would clash in different ways with the rules that protect the freedom of choice of the consumer, and the freedom of competition among firms..
A great day indeed!
So start internet shops Italians and sell Linux computers all over Europe - you will have a market.
Microsoft has argued that the computer with Windows is like buying a car with wheels and engine.
That is wrong of course since you are not confronted with a set of conditions - that you must accept - the first time you start your car:
Buying a computer with preinstalled software, the user is required to conclude two different contracts: the first, when he buys the computer; the second, when he turns on the computer for the first time and he is required to accept or not the license terms of the preinstalled software.9 Therefore, if the user does not accept the software license, he has the right to keep the computer and install free software without having to pay the "Microsoft tax.
This will probably spread throughout Europe, with the probable exception of the UK who have the American way of viewing things..
Smart people these italians....
Forza Italia!
More here
(or is that "mobs sit"?)