[opendtv] Europe lets Microsoft off, after browser commitments
- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:10:42 -0600
The part I found significant is this:
"Under the commitments approved by the Commission, Microsoft will make
available for five years in the European Economic Area a 'Choice Screen'
enabling users of Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 to choose which web
browser(s) they want to install in addition to, -->or instead of<--,
Microsoft's browser Internet Explorer."
In the past, Microsoft has made IE mandatory for downloading Windows updates.
Is this going to change?
Bert
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Europe lets Microsoft off, after browser commitments
Peter Clarke
(12/16/2009 10:29 AM EST)
URL: http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=222002270
LONDON - The European Commission has dropped a legal case against Microsoft
Corp., letting the software giant of a potential fine of billions of dollars,
after the company made commitments to offer a choice-of-browser screen within
its operating systems.
The European Commission is the executive arm of the 27-nation European Union.
It has been deciding whether or not Microsoft's conduct from 1996 to date with
regard to tying its web browser Internet Explorer to the Windows PC operating
system has been an abuse of its market position. If the Commission had
continued with its legal case and found Microsoft guilty it could have levied a
fine of billions of dollars.
The latest agreement leaves that decision open but ends the Commission's
investigation. However, Microsoft will be monitored by the Commission and if it
breaks its commitments could be fined up to 10 percent of its annual revenue
without further legal action, the Commission said.
In addition to offering a choice screen in which competing browsers are
presented in a random order, Microsoft has committed to allow computer
manufacturers and users to turn Internet Explorer off. Microsoft is also saying
it will make interoperability disclosures about its operating system.
The Commission said that the latest commitments made my Microsoft address its
concerns but that it will continue to monitor the impact of Microsoft's
commitments and may instruct Microsoft to modify the moves it makes.
Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said: "Millions of European consumers
will benefit from this decision by having a free choice about which web browser
they use. Such choice will not only serve to improve people's experience of the
internet now but also act as an incentive for web browser companies to innovate
and offer people better browsers in the future."
Under the commitments approved by the Commission, Microsoft will make available
for five years in the European Economic Area a "Choice Screen" enabling users
of Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 to choose which web browser(s) they
want to install in addition to, or instead of, Microsoft's browser Internet
Explorer. The commitments also provide that computer manufacturers will be able
to install competing web browsers, set those as default and turn Internet
Explorer off.
The Commission's decision leaves open whether Microsoft has infringed the law
in the past but legally binds Microsoft to the commitments it has offered and
ends the Commission's investigation. If Microsoft were to break its
commitments, the Commission could impose a fine of up to 10 percent of
Microsoft's total annual turnover without a further legal case.
Microsoft has agreed to report regularly to the Commission, starting in six
months' time, on the implementation of the commitments and under certain
conditions to make adjustments to the Choice Screen upon the Commission's
request.
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