Microsoft and the EU have settled a dispute on Internet Explore
December 17, 2009 – 12:14 am
EU antitrust authorities and software giant Microsoft Corp. settled a dispute over an Internet browser Internet Explorer, the default built-in operating system (OS) Windows from Microsoft.
In particular, the European Commission adopted a proposal by Microsoft, providing opportunity for alternative browsers in Windows, and agreed to close the case on the abuse by the monopoly in the market of web browsers.
As stated in the report of the European Commission, Microsoft is committed to provide users of Windows in Europe, the choice among different browsers and also allow computer manufacturers and users to abandon the browser Internet Explorer, RBC Ukraine.
“Millions of European consumers will benefit from this decision, providing a free choice of web browser they want to use. This choice will not only allow people to improve their experience on the Internet, but also provide an incentive for developers of browsers offer new solutions in the future, “- said in a press release of the European Commission, European Commissioner for competition Neelie Kroes.
Microsoft in accordance with accepted an obligation to ensure users of the systems Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 in the European Economic Area, within five years the option install alternative web browsers, in addition to Internet Explorer or instead of through the so – called “selection screen”. In addition, manufacturers of Windows-based PC can install Internet browsers to choose from and refuse to embed the default Internet Explorer browser from Microsoft.
As reported earlier, 15 January s.g . The European Commission sent Microsoft a preliminary conclusion on the results of antitrust investigations concerning the practice of embedding the Windows Internet browser Internet Explorer. The Commission concluded that binding Internet Explorer to Windows violate competition laws in the EU. According to the regulator, this practice hinders innovation in the market of web browsers and creates artificial incentives for software publishers and content providers to develop software applications and Web sites exclusively “under the Internet Explorer”. For violation of EU competition law to Microsoft threatened a large fine. The reason for the nomination of accusations against Microsoft by the European Commission following complaints of the Norwegian browser developer Opera.
recall this is not the first accusation of abuse of the Microsoft antitrust regulation in the market. In April, the Federal Cartel Office of Germany fined Microsoft for 9 million euros. Office accused the German branch of the concern Microsoft Deutschland GmbH in an effort to influence the pricing in the market of Germany. According to the Federal Cartel Office, the fall of 2008, Microsoft agreed with the seller of computer support in Germany, the price of the program “Office Home & Student 2007, and then gave them financial support in organizing large-scale advertising campaign for this product. This practice is contrary to the antitrust laws of the FRG. In February 2008 the European Commission fined Microsoft a record 899 million on the euro for non-performance requirements imposed on the company in connection with violation of antitrust laws. The total amount of the fine with respect to initial penalties amounted to 1.68 billion euros.
Microsoft is the world’s largest software. In addition, it provides services for the development of Internet technologies for personal computers and servers. Microsoft Revenues in the July-September this year amounted to 12.92 billion dollars, the profit – of $3.57 billion net profit for the first quarter of 2009/10 fiscal year (ended in September 2009) was reduced by 18%, to 3.57 billion dollars, the proceeds – up 14%, to 12.92 billion U.S. operating profit was 4.48 billion dollars against $6 billion a year earlier.
