EU signals further antitrust action against Microsoft

Stephen Withers
Sunday, 18 January 2009 17:51

IT Industry - Development

What they are likely hoping for this time is that Microsoft will be required to stop shipping Internet Explorer with Windows. Even if the company continues to supply the browser free of charge, users would then be able to choose which they should use, without being presented with a default choice.

As the EC notes, the problem isn't just that the bundling of a browser with Windows disadvantages companies who develop web browsers (such as Norway-based Opera Software) - it also increases the likelihood that people and organisations will tend to develop web sites and software that are compatible with Internet Explorer but not necessarily other browsers.

It seems that the EC's renewed interest in Microsoft was triggered by a complaint made by Opera

This risks reduced competition and innovation in the provision of services to consumers, the commission noted.

Microsoft's initial response noted that the company had received the statement of objections, and continued:

"We are committed to conducting our business in full compliance with European law. We are studying the Statement of Objections now. Under European competition law procedure, Microsoft will be afforded an opportunity to respond in writing to this Statement of Objections within about two months. The company is also afforded an opportunity to request a hearing, which would take place after the submission of this response. Under EU procedure, the European Commission will not make a final determination until after it receives and assesses Microsoft's response and conducts the hearing, should Microsoft request one."

In other words: yes, we've received the statement of objections, and no, we don't have anything to say about it.

As Microsoft noted, the process is that the company has the opportunity to reply to the EC's objections before the commission makes a determination about whether or not Microsoft's conduct is compatible with the antitrust rules under the EC Treaty.

What are other people saying about the EC's statement? See page 3.