European officials dismiss browser-free Windows proposal
European Union officials have already rejected Microsoft’s offer to sell Windows in Europe without any browser. The quick response suggests officials are not interested in doing a deal and still intend to hit Microsoft with a big punishment.
As Dave Parrack wrote yesterday, Microsoft had planned to release a special edition of Windows 7 in Europe without Internet Explorer. This appeared to be its solution to the EU’s preliminary findings that bundling the browser breached competition rules – findings which seemed highly likely to be upheld now Microsoft has pulled out of a formal hearing over a scheduling row.
Dave noted, “It’s entirely possibly the EU could come back and still not be happy with the effort. If this happens then I’d lose the last little piece of respect I have left for the European Union and its leaders.”
It looks as if Dave will be crossing Brussels off his Christmas card list as that’s exactly what has happened. A spokesman said today, “If the commission were to find that Microsoft had committed an abuse, the commission has suggested that consumers be offered a choice of browser, not that Windows should be supplied with no browser at all.”
Officials noted that when Microsoft was forced to release Windows XP in Europe without Windows Media Player over a similar competition law row, the solution simply didn’t work. Computer makers were still able to ask Microsoft to include the software, and virtually all of them did so. At one stage just 0.005 percent of XP sales in Europe were for the special edition without the player.
The New York Times quotes a competition lawyer as saying the rejection of Microsoft’s plan means, “It appears this is headed to a big decision from the commission, a big fine and perhaps a lengthy appeal.”
Given the EU’s quick response, it appears the most likely outcome remains some variation on Microsoft being forced to offer users a choice of browser during installation.
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June 13th, 2009
Should be fun doing activations and setting up automatic downloads and installs of critical security patches which require IE.
Exactly how do you install an alternate browser with no browser on the machine? I suppose the EU can force Microsoft to include a live Linux cd.
I thought the US had a lock on technically ignorant policy makers. This is like a speed trap that only exist to generate revenue.
June 13th, 2009
Go figure, thats the EU for you. “Hey we can milk MS in one of our courst and get some money to help our bad economy.” Bleh!
June 17th, 2009
As I have previously stated on this site, the EU will only have credibility if they force Apple and other OS distributors into the same restrictions they are imposing on Microsoft.
If MS have to offer a choice of browsers other than its own product, then so should Apple and every single Linux distro developer. As should every cellphone OS.
Frankly, the idea is ludicrous. What other company is forced by law to bundle competitors product with its own in order to be granted access to a market?
For example, is Sony forced to bundle a Nintendo Wii with every HD TV screen for the European consumer?