Microsoft must offer other browsers says EU

Robert Hallock 25 Feb, 2009 at 2:41pm ET Article published in Tech

A recent decision by the European Union will force Microsoft to rejigger Windows to present users with a choice between Internet Explorer or other third-party browsers.

Regarding the recent decision Spokesman for EU Competition Minister Jonathan Todd spoke of market fairness. “If the Commission’s preliminary conclusions as outlined in the recent statement of objections were confirmed, the Commission would intend to impose remedies that enabled users and manufacturers to make an unbiased choice between Internet Explorer and competing third party web browsers,” he said.

Microsoft has promised to operate with respect towards the EU ruling. “We are committed to conducting our business in full compliance with European law,” said a spokesperson. “We are studying the statement of objections.”

Meanwhile, the EU is also expected to pursue Apple for the inclusion of both QuickTime and Safari in their operating sys– wait, no.

Comments

25 Feb 2009 ~ 3:06pm MiracleManS I'm all for getting the alternative browsers a fair shake, but I don't think this is the way.
25 Feb 2009 ~ 3:10pm Snarkasm Now if we need to give other browsers a fair shake, we need to give them ALL a fair shake - let's not forget to include K-Meleon, Amaya, Flock, Seamonkey, Konqueror, K-Ninja, IceCat, Swiftfox, Iris, TeaShark...

THERE ARE SO MANY INTERNETS!
25 Feb 2009 ~ 3:12pm MiracleManS You forgot Lynx
25 Feb 2009 ~ 3:13pm Snarkasm **** that guy. I prefer Hitman.
25 Feb 2009 ~ 4:12pm NiGHTS Ugh, EU.
25 Feb 2009 ~ 6:05pm Linc qq for Microsoft.
25 Feb 2009 ~ 7:31pm mas0n Did Microsoft prevent anyone from using an alternate browser? Are they a government agency? Then get the fuck out of their business.
25 Feb 2009 ~ 7:39pm Your-Amish-Daddy I always thought that IE was a gateway browser...

wait for it...Oh yeah. I can hear the groaning throughout the Internets.
26 Feb 2009 ~ 1:41am Komete Hrmmm.. That doesn't sit well with me. I think it puts MS in an awkward position. MS will now have to wory about how secure other browsers will be on their first connection to the internet. Which is a pc's most vulnerable time until it downloads service packs. (and yes I realize how vulnerable IE is but it isn't as bad as chrome.)

Now if they were to just offer links within Explorer to different web browser websites, I could see that working.

I guess that's the difference between free trade and fair trade.
26 Feb 2009 ~ 1:41pm AlexDeGruven I'm with you on this one. By pre-packaging browsers with an OS install, you're just asking for trouble. Who knows how long people will keep OS install discs (I have a couple I still use for XP pre-SP1).

I like the idea of doing it up like they do with search providers in IE7 currently. Give them one, and then give them easy links to install others and/or set something else as the primary.

Komete wrote:

Hrmmm.. That doesn't sit well with me. I think it puts MS in an awkward position. MS will now have to wory about how secure other browsers will be on their first connection to the internet. Which is a pc's most vulnerable time until it downloads service packs. (and yes I realize how vulnerable IE is but it isn't as bad as chrome.)

Now if they were to just offer links within Explorer to different web browser websites, I could see that working.

I guess that's the difference between free trade and fair trade.
26 Feb 2009 ~ 2:30pm Linc

Komete wrote:

MS will now have to wory about how secure other browsers will be on their first connection to the internet.

And clearly they can't even handle that for IE.