European Commission doesn't like Windows minus browser

PanARMENIAN.Net - Microsoft Corp. will reduce users' choices by making a separate version of the Windows 7 operating software for Europe that does not include its Internet Explorer Web browser. European officials think, that consumers should be offered several browsers to choose instead of removing the only one.



EU stated earlier that the software maker's practice of selling Internet Explorer as a part of Windows violates its antitrust rules. The EU ordered Microsoft to separate the Web surfing software from its PC operating system. The preliminary decision came after a yearlong investigation into complaints from a competitor browser maker, Norway's Opera Software ASA, which said Microsoft's practices resulted in an unfair distribution advantage. Since then, Mozilla Corp., which makes the Firefox browser, and Google Inc., have signed on as third parties against Microsoft in the case. Oracle, Sun and IBM also joined Opera.



Microsoft's browser is the most widely used worldwide, but Firefox is gaining in popularity and Google, the top Web search provider, has released its own Web browser, Chrome.



In a previous antitrust case the EC found the company had violated competition rules by bundling its media player software with Windows and by making it difficult for competitors' programs to communicate with Microsoft's.



Opera has not liked Microsoft's decision. The corporation is certain, that consumers should be offered a choice and since sanctions will be applied only in Europe, Associated Press reports.