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European regulators could force Microsoft to unbundle Internet Explorer
A while back, the folks behind the Opera browser decided to do something about this, and filed a complaint against Microsoft with the European Commission. And last week, the Commission ruled that Microsoft is violating EC antitrust rules by bundling its browser with its operating system.
It's not clear what the next step is yet. It's possible that the EC could impose a stiff fine against Microsoft, or it could require Microsoft to offer a version of Windows without Internet Explorer in Europe (which would still be available as a free download from Microsoft's web site). That's the approach European regulators took a few years back with Microsoft's bundling of Windows Media Player. But even if Microsoft is ordered to unbundle Internet Explorer, Microsoft may retain the right to sell two versions of Windows, one with IE, and one without.
What do you think, is it anti-competitive to include a web browser with your operating system, or is it just common sense since most people expect to be able to surf the web immediately after plugging in their new computer? If Microsoft is told to unbundle Internet Explorer from Windows, would it lead to surge in popularity of alternative applications like Firefox or Opera?
Comments
47
Subscribe to commentsWilJan 20th 2009 8:27PM
I love firefox but come on, not have ie to fall back on is retarded. Oh and I loved the 1st comment about how would you download an alternative browser with out a browser in the 1st place. I smell an agenda here and it's not in the best interest of the consumer. At most I would say, make ie un-installable for those who just can't stand it on their computer.
laeroJan 20th 2009 5:44PM
Being a european and all (which sounds silly to me, I'm from Sweden not EU...) I agree on this being complete nonsense.
However, this would be awesome if it forced the IE integration out of Windows.
LordDaManJan 20th 2009 11:08AM
I think it's crazy.
The EU won't stop at just removing the browser shell, you can be sure they willw nat to remove the render engine also. That would completly break windows and quite a few 3rd party programs. Help for instance would not work.
Søren Hartmann KristensenJan 20th 2009 11:23AM
When you buy a computer, there is all kinds of software bundled. Even if a computer is sold with an OS that dosn't include a browser, there is little chance of getting a browser free computer.
If Microsoft didn't bundle Explorer, the computer companies would be more likely to sell the computer with another browser eg. Chrome.
Personally I like when a windows function is not more tangled up in the OS than it can still be uninstalled and not missed. This would be a nice option for Explorer
KRJan 20th 2009 10:26PM
Companies like Opera need to stop whining and try building a superior product. They've already done that for mobile devices, so they've proven that they can do it without government intervention. And Firefox and Safari have proven that there is a market out there for alternative desktop browsers; they just have to be compelling enough to switch to. What the EU is doing is protectionism, pure and simple, and Opera is simply taking advantage of the socialist tendencies of the EU.
And what does "unbundling" IE mean anyway? If somebody wants a different browser, they're going to need a browser to download a new browser. Either that or you're going to see SKUs labeled "Windows with IE" and "Windows with Firefox" and "Windows with Opera." Multiply that against the number of different flavors of Windows. What stupidity.
JaccoJan 21st 2009 10:48AM
I think it´s just common sense. And how the hell would you want to download IE from microsoft´s website if you couldn´t get there?? And if they find out something to that, the result will probably be that the only thing you can download is IE...
otsJan 30th 2009 10:23AM
really ridiculous...
Microsoft owns the operating system, its up to them to decide what to bundle and what not to... i like IE more as compared to Opera... Rending of webpages for Opera isn't good.
Work harder Opera!
No one! including the government should bother what companies bundle programs with...