nsane.forums Posted July 24, 2009 Share Posted July 24, 2009 Although Intel may have been hit with a bigger fine, the multi-year saga of Microsoft's fight with the European Union's Competition Commission may have run up larger legal bills, given its longevity. The most recent point of contention between Redmond and Europe has been the browser; Microsoft bundles its own with its operating systems, but the EU views that as using monopoly power to the detriment of potential competitors. Earlier this month, word came out that Microsoft was looking to make this matter go away, and it may have succeeded; the European Commission has just announced that Microsoft has agreed to proposed EU remedies and is willing to offer a "browser ballot" to new users.When the two adversaries squared off some years back over a similar issue, the bundling of Microsoft's media player, the EU ordered Microsoft to offer OEMs a version of Windows without the media software. None of them bit, which made the order rather toothless. So, it wasn't a shock that Microsoft first tried to preempt EU action in the browser market by offering more or less the same thing: Windows would ship without a browser in Europe, and OEMs could choose to add whichever one they would like. The EU didn't find that offer compelling. Not only did the idea sound a bit like the failed media player solution, but Microsoft's antitrust legal history in the US indicates that it has been willing to exert significant pressure on OEMs in the past. In fact, just last month, the EU sent a series of questions to OEMs, asking if they had come under pressure originating in Redmond regarding browser bundling. Those questions and other information originating with the EU indicated that its Competition Commission preferred a solution where users would be offered a "browser ballot" during the initial boot sequence. That screen would allow users to choose from a number of competing browsers, which would then be downloaded and installed on the machine. There's no word on which browsers would be eligible for votes, but Google, Mozilla, and Opera have all been in discussions with the Commission. That may not have been Microsoft's preferred solution, but today's statement from the EU indicates that the company has decided to go with the flow. View: Original Article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genius2999 Posted July 24, 2009 Share Posted July 24, 2009 You know what I don't get about this, why Microsoft are having to advertise competing products in their operating system? Isn't this a bit like me walking into Tesco (I'm from the UK) and hearing a tannoy announcement asking me if I want to use Asda to do my clothes shopping?Sounds ridiculous to me......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Lite Posted July 24, 2009 Administrator Share Posted July 24, 2009 Its because Opera cannot advertise there product correctly and brought about a lawsuit. Next we will see them launch a lawsuit on Google about Chrome OS or something....Good Software. Bad Management. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RadioActive Posted July 26, 2009 Share Posted July 26, 2009 The whole "antitrust" thing is absurd! so what if they bundle their own software into the OS, they don't force anyone to use it, half the planet uses different programs already, all it does is make it easier for user who don't have the experience to get their own software, all these lawsuits are so lame.What they gonna go do next? demand the removal of drivers from windows? or perhaps the entire GUI? bleh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eqagunn Posted July 26, 2009 Share Posted July 26, 2009 Lohengrin, I completely agree with you... No one is forced to use all the software that comes with Windows, neither they are forced to use Windows at all... If you use Windows, you can always download other programs and use them at will... If you have something against software that comes with Windows, then use Linux!Now about this browser ballot, does this mean a new build of Windows 7 will need to be compiled? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RadioActive Posted July 26, 2009 Share Posted July 26, 2009 Lohengrin, I completely agree with you... No one is forced to use all the software that comes with Windows, neither they are forced to use Windows at all... If you use Windows, you can always download other programs and use them at will... If you have something against software that comes with Windows, then use Linux!My point exactly :PNow about this browser ballot, does this mean a new build of Windows 7 will need to be compiled?I don't think so, I believe they'll just create a special build for distribution in EU only or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Lite Posted July 26, 2009 Administrator Share Posted July 26, 2009 The "N" version i don't think has been finalized yet.Microsoft opens Windows to browser competition Microsoft has said that it will offer European Windows users a choice of browser as a way of settling its ongoing legal feud with the EU, confirming earlier hints. Under the proposal European users would be able to download a plug-in which will open a ballot screen, with up to ten competing browsers with a market share of over 0.5 per cent. The browser picked would then be the default browser for the machine. The proposal also gives a commitment not to take any punitive actions against OEMs who ship products with rival browsers preinstalled and guarantees not to cut off any OEM without a 30 consultation period. View: Original Article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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