The EC has dropped its long-running antitrust case against Microsoft.
The corporation has agreed to offer users a choice of rival web browsers and the Commission has accepted the proposal. As a result of the agreement, users will be offered up to 12 rival browsers.
The "ballot screen" has been given a typical Euro-jargon name - the "choice screen" is what it will now be known as.
Reaction from Microsoft
In a statement Microsoft said it was "pleased with today's decision...which approves a final resolution of several longstanding competition law issues in Europe. We look forward to building on the dialogue and trust that has been established between Microsoft and the Commission and to extending our industry leadership on interoperability."
The screen will appear to every user of IE in Windows XP, Vista and 7 - though when it will roll out via Windows Update remains to be seen.
The agreement ends the possibility of a second EC vs Microsoft court battle. "Today's resolution follows years of intensive examination by the European Commission of competition in computer software," continues the Microsoft statement. "The measures approved today reflect multiple rounds of input from industry participants relating to competition in Web browser software and interoperability between various Microsoft products and competing products."
Reaction from the EC
The EC also seems happy that the action is over. "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," said European Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes in a statement.
The EC goes on to say that "Microsoft commits to offer European users of Windows choice among different web browsers and to allow computer manufacturers and users the possibility to turn Internet Explorer off. Microsoft is also publishing today an undertaking whereby it commits to make far-reaching interoperability disclosures."
Computer manufacturers will also be able to install competing web browsers, set those as default and turn Internet Explorer off.
The EC says that PC users, by means of the Choice Screen, "will have an effective and unbiased choice between Internet Explorer and competing web browsers... this should ensure competition on the merits and allow consumers to benefit from technical developments and innovation both on the web browser market and on related markets, such as web-based applications."
Interestingly, Opera points out in its response that the browser choice agreement will have a term of five years and includes a semi-annual review of its effectiveness.
Your comments (7) Click to add a new comment
lovlid
December 18th 2009
7. "I never expect Opera to be a big player in the main browser market, but its not like they care when they absolutely dominate the mobile browser market."
You might not except it to be a big player, but Tetzchner (opera's CEO) does. And he must care, the idiots never away from the phone shouting sue, sue, sue. Even whinging and crying about the browsers being put in alphabetical order.
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viveledodo
December 18th 2009
6. Well, I expected this Opera bashing, but seriously guys, come on.
Opera is a nice, streamlined browser with fast, built-in applications. I have no problem with Firefox other than that it crashes constantly on my system, (no idea why, it just does...not Mozilla's fault) but Opera is an extremely user-friendly browser that nobody seems to want to give a chance. I couldn't live without Opera's mouse gestures, and although I could add them to FF, its kinda slow and sloppy.
I never expect Opera to be a big player in the main browser market, but its not like they care when they absolutely dominate the mobile browser market.
In regards to the anti-trust case, it's a little dumb, and I am surprised Microsoft backed down. Its almost as if they're admitting IE isn't such a great browser.
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shodanicron
December 17th 2009
5. I do see it as kind of a hollow victory when the "EC" say their are doing a servcive to the people as now people can finally have a choice of Web browser.
Well doooooolally what a victory! They are still running on a windows system. Ahem what about a free choice of OS on every machine you buy.... now that be more in line with a true choice wouldnt it. If you get a free choice of web browser with a windows machine and dont choose IE* or whatever dont come crying to us if all your OS' cool features dont work properly = choice reduced to 0. Im with microsoft being able to do whatever the hell they please on their own OS. after all its their OS your ******* using, not apples or operas one(wink wink) for that matter :)
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tech89
December 16th 2009
4. Why do we need a choice of 12 browsers? It's ridiculous. The main browsers are IE, Firefox, Chrome, Safari and Opera. That's 5, don't need any more than that.
This anti trust rubbish has gotten hugely out of hand.
I would advise to use firefox or chrome. IE seems quite sluggish and the design seems dull.
I've started to use chrome more than firefox now, its design is cleaner, and simpler. I do like firefox still, just waiting for them to release their next gen design browser.
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mobius
December 16th 2009
3. "will have an effective and unbiased choice between Internet Explorer and competing web browsers"
Except that you're only applying this to OSes that contain IE (in other words Windows) and exactly who chooses what these alternative browsers are? Will we see antitrust suits from more obscure developers and open source forks against "big companies" like Opera?
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tfawcett
December 16th 2009
2. It's nothing to do with anti-trust. Just Opera being a small company unable to compete with Microsoft being a large company in the browser market.
The only party that could object to the other OS being tied to a single browser is Microsoft and they don't make a browser for any desktop OS other than their own.
Opera are kidding themselves if they think this means people will start using their browser. Most people have never heard of them and will stick with IE or choose FireFox or Safari. Maybe even Chrome after the recent advertising on Metro. Not Opera.
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madjedi
December 16th 2009
1. So why aren't Apple being forced to offer a choice other than Safari. What about when Chrome OS is released. That is pretty much all browser integated into the fabric of the OS. Wasn't the fact that microsoft was told not to do this very thing that started all this off?
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