Microsoft vs European regulators goes into overtime
The European Commission has extended the deadline for Microsoft to answer charges that its bundling of Internet Explorer breaks competition laws. The extension comes after Microsoft asked for more time to consider its position.
Regulators issued a ‘ruling in principle’ in January that said including Internet Explorer in Windows gave it an unfair advantage in the browser market. The case followed a complaint by the Norwegian producers of rival browser Opera.
Microsoft originally had until yesterday to formally dispute the charges; had they missed this deadline, the charges would likely have been upheld automatically. Today’s extension gives the firm until April 21 to request a formal hearing.
Neither side gave an official reason for Microsoft’s request for more time. However, it’s possible the software giant wants to clarify exactly what changes to its policies would satisfy regulators and stave off official sanctions.
In a recent financial filing, Microsoft noted that European officials could conceivably order them to include other browsers in Windows and allow users to make a decision about which browser to use when they install the operating system.
It’s just come to light that Internet Explorer will be classified as an optional feature in Windows 7. That means users can easily turn it on or off, but the relevant files remain on their computer.
This move may be an attempt to reach a compromise with regulators, and the man who previously monitored Microsoft’s behavior for the European Commission has welcomed the changes. However, regulators say they have not officially been told about the changes yet and aren’t making any comment about whether it would accept it as a solution.
Commission spokesman Jonathan Todd told Bloomberg “If Microsoft considers this to be relevant to the commission’s antitrust case on bundling of Internet Explorer, presumably they would mention it in their reply to the statement of objections.”
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