Prima facie, all Libertarians should champion the story of Microsoft's rise to dominance over the software industry. Microsoft pioneered the business model for the software industry. It maintained dominance over the industry it pioneered for decades, generating an incredible amount of wealth for its employees, customers, and associated companies. Indeed, many people consider Microsoft to be an example of capitalism at its best and brightest, as evidenced by the Walk for Capitalism (Scoop). On the other hand, statists and sundry other malcontents have attacked Microsoft for its success, citing their business practices, shoddy products and 'unfair competition' (an oxymoron if ever there was one).

In response to this, many Libertarians have come out in defense of Microsoft, and Bill Gates, who was until recently its CEO (The Center For The Advancement Of Capitalism). These supporters are quite correct in their defense of Microsoft with respect to anti-trust litigation. However, both Microsoft's supporters, and many of their detractors, are ignoring the relevant ethical problem: Microsoft has based its success in no small part on theft, fraud, and abuse of the legal system. In addition, Microsoft's general business practices may violate Libertarian principles. Any proponent of a political system that claims to support ideals of property ownership and denounce fraud or force should hold Microsoft in very low esteem.