Brussels browser battle almost over
“The (European) Commission’s preliminary view is that Microsoft’s commitments would address these competition concerns and (it) is market testing Microsoft’s proposal in light of these requirements,” a statement said.
Brussels was concerned that consumers were not being allowed to make an “unbiased” choice between Microsoft’s software and related applications, and those of rivals including Firefox (Mozilla), Google’s Chrome or Norway’s Opera.
The commission, Europe’s top competition watchdog, opened the latest front in its decade-long anti-trust battle with Microsoft in January with the browser issue, threatening litigation.
In response, Microsoft said in August that it would present customers with a “ballot” option, allowing them to choose whether to install IE or another browser on new PCs sold with Windows 7 pre-installed.
It said after the EU’s announcement that it would open formal market testing on October 9 that it had improved its proposals regarding inter-operability of applications.
Welcoming the decision, Microsoft general counsel Brad Smith highlighted “extensive discussions with the Commission over the last month, during which we agreed to make numerous changes to improve (our) proposals.
“Today’s decision is a significant step toward closing a decade-long chapter of competition law concerns in Europe,” he added.
Microsoft browser battle – comments and views
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