EU ends Microsoft browser case with new 'choice screen,' no fine |
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EU ends Microsoft browser case with new 'choice screen,' no fine
The European Commission this morning ended a long-running antitrust battle over Microsoft's inclusion of Internet Explorer in Windows -- citing a series of changes made by the Redmond company in the web browser "choice screen" that will be presented to Windows users in Europe to let them opt for a competing browser.
"Microsoft’s commitments are made legally-binding by today’s decision, which closes the Commission’s antitrust investigation into the tying of Internet Explorer to the Windows PC operating system," said Neelie Kroes, the European competition commissioner, at a press briefing today. "I hope that today’s decision closes a long chapter in Microsoft's sometimes uneasy relationship with the Commission, and opens a new, more positive one."
Under the decision, Microsoft says PC makers and Windows users will continue to be able to install any browser as the default on the operating system, and to turn off access to Internet Explorer if they want to. The browser choice screen will show 12 potential browsers in random order. The company changed the design of the choice screen window to make it look less like Internet Explorer. When it's rolled out next year, will see the choice screen on new computers, and existing Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 machines.
Unlike past decisions against the company, no fine was announced. Microsoft also made a series of formal commitments to interoperability as part of the conclusion of the case.
The browser case was originally brought by browser maker Opera Software of Norway. In a news release this morning, Opera CEO Jon von Tetzchner called the outcome "a victory for the future of the Web."
Updated at 8:20 a.m. with link to Opera's statement.
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