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January 28th, 2009

MSFT: EU would force users to pick browser

Posted by Richard Koman @ January 28, 2009 @ 9:47 PM

Categories: Microsoft

Tags: OEM, Microsoft Corp., Web Browser, MSFT, Microsoft Windows, Web Browsers, Operating Systems, Software, Internet, Richard Koman

European Windows customers could be forced to choose a browser when setting up a PC, Microsoft claims in its latest 10-Q filing with the SEC. Such a result is possible because of the European Commission’s finding that Microsoft violates antitrust law by installing IE as part of Windows.

While computer users and OEMs are already free to run any Web browsing software on Windows, the Commission is considering ordering Microsoft and OEMs to obligate users to choose a particular browser when setting up a new PC. Such a remedy might include a requirement that OEMs distribute multiple browsers on new Windows-based PCs. We may also be required to disable certain unspecified Internet Explorer software code if a user chooses a competing browser. The statement of objections also seeks to impose a significant fine based on sales of Windows operating systems in the European Union.

I don’t get why that’s such a bad thing. Microsoft has been picking our browser for us for a long time now.

  • Talkback
  • Most Recent of 57 Talkback(s)
RE: MSFT: EU would force users to pick browser
This is the stupidist thing that I have heard of. They can already choose to install a lessor browser than Internet Explorer and have it be the default. THE ONLY reason that they are doing this now, i... (Read the rest)
Posted by: jfreedle2@... Posted on: 02/11/09 You are currently: a Guest | | Terms of Use
How do you download a browser...  hickum | 01/28/09
This is getting silly  SimonUK | 01/28/09
Legal?  Comnenus | 01/29/09
It's got nothing to do with the GPL.  SimonUK | 01/30/09
Decmocracy?  Bucky24 | 01/29/09
million ways  patibulo | 01/29/09
Right...  ccrashh2@... | 01/29/09
RE: Right, aiight  n0neXn0ne | 01/29/09
What?  ccrashh2@... | 01/29/09
From my understanding they're planning to force MS...  ye | 01/29/09
Did you just ...  n0neXn0ne | 01/29/09
If so, who gets to pick? The EEC?  deowll | 01/29/09
We will dream up something  visoot | 01/29/09
Price competitiveness?!?!  SimonUK | 01/30/09
Shaking down MS  P. Douglas | 01/28/09
Just like MS did in the 90's...  A Grain of Salt | 01/28/09
That couldn't happen...  SimonUK | 01/29/09
MS pulling out of Europe? Gosh, you're so silly!!!  InAction Man | 01/29/09
Profits Then Ballmer MUST pull out.  PMC-CON | 01/31/09
Clearly, the EU does not like Microsoft's ...  mwagner@... | 01/29/09
It's got nothing to do with that...  SimonUK | 01/30/09
Not a helpful comment ...  mwagner@... | 01/30/09
Simon -- Let The EC Prove that they aren't "stupid Europeans"  PMC-CON | 01/31/09
I Agree -- MS Should Dump the EU  PMC-CON | 01/31/09
When Competition Exists, Kill A Fighter?  clindhartsen | 01/28/09
Netscape...  SimonUK | 01/29/09
Well, guess what?  mwagner@... | 01/29/09
Well done...  SimonUK | 01/30/09
My point was that ...  mwagner@... | 01/30/09
Netscape's Bankruptcy ...  PMC-CON | 01/31/09
What happens when there is no necessity to change?  linuser | 01/29/09
The issue is that  GuidingLight | 01/29/09
No, EU forces Microsoft to let custmers choose...  hgh9mrp@... | 01/29/09
As I read the article ...  mwagner@... | 01/29/09
Ridiculous.  SimonUK | 01/30/09
The problem with that BLOAT ...  mwagner@... | 01/30/09
RE: MSFT: EU would force users to pick browser  stottosy@... | 01/29/09
Over 44% of firefox users are in Europe, less than 34% in North America  InAction Man | 01/29/09
re:RE: MSFT: EU would force users to pick browser  n0neXn0ne | 01/29/09
RE: MSFT: EU would force users to pick browser  xlinuks | 01/29/09
How about ...  johnfenjackson@... | 01/29/09
Government and force. Nice combination.  seosamh_z | 01/29/09
Opera is just jealous of Firefox  Joe_Raby | 01/29/09
I wonder  NStalnecker | 01/29/09
Finally, users get the choice...so what ?  josephrot@... | 01/29/09
Is The Browser Part of the Operating System?  n0neXn0ne | 01/29/09
RE: MSFT: EU would force users to pick browser  xlinuks | 01/29/09
RE: MSFT: EU would force users to pick browser  jinx101 | 01/29/09
Forced to choose.  kozmcrae | 01/29/09
IE HTML rendering engine IS part of the OS  Ralph Malph | 01/29/09
Yes,and that means that much more ...  mwagner@... | 01/29/09
You said ...  mwagner@... | 01/29/09
They get that "crapware" with Internet Explorer...  SimonUK | 01/30/09
This would solve what problem?!?  bbneo | 01/29/09
RE: MSFT: EU would force users to pick browser  mcraigw | 01/29/09
Wrong end of the stick...  SimonUK | 01/30/09
RE: MSFT: EU would force users to pick browser  jfreedle2@... | 02/11/09

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