They lost their antitrust case, which most of the harshest judgements were reduced or overturned later in appeal. In the end it was determined that they were a

They lost their antitrust case, which most of the harshest judgements were reduced or overturned later in appeal. In the end it was determined that they were a monopoly, the results of which include the things you mentioned, and some of their long held business practices had to be changed. After that Netscape eventually came back, and better, as Firefox and Apple doesn't seem to be doing so badly these days. I'm not understanding your point about an alternate universe in your statement. I must be missing something.