Brussels bends Microsoft
The European Commission was investigating since January 2008 on possible abuse of dominant position by Microsoft in Internet browsers. If Brussels is to end its investigation, the U.S. giant had to make heavy concessions, agreeing to provide European users with a choice of internet browser to its Windows operating system, then ships only with browser: Internet Explorer.
The lawsuit, initiated by Opera Software, a competitor of the firm of Steve Ballmer, was motivated illegal competitive advantage that the systematic incorporation of Internet Explorer to Windows would have given Microsoft.
Internet Explorer will suddenly face competition
The latter agreed to five years to propose to all European users in Windows versions XP, Vista and 7 to choose their browser.Firefox, Opera and Chrome, the three major browsers Internet Explorer competitors are rubbing their hands when you know that Windows team 90% of PCs worldwide.
Manufacturers of computers equipped with Windows in factory can also completely disable Internet Explorer and install a competing browser.
Microsoft chose to make concessions, risking a fine that could reach 10% of its annual turnover worldwide, is a mere 6 billion euros in fines.
"Millions of European consumers will benefit from this decision with the choice of browser they use," welcomed the Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes.