Microsoft settles browser antitrust case with EU
17 Dec 2009
Microsoft Corp has reached an agreement with European Union anti-trust regulators that allow European users a choice of web browsers.
Under the proposal, consumers in Europe (specifically the region known as the European Economic Area, which includes 30 nations) who buy a new Windows PC with Internet Explorer set as their default browser would be shown a 'ballot screen' from which they could easily install competing browsers from the Web.(See: EU watchdog eases the noose on Microsoft)
''This is an important day and a major step forward, and we look forward to building a new foundation for the future in Europe,'' said Brad Smith, Microsoft senior vice president and general counsel.
The European Commission said Microsoft's legally binding agreement ended the dispute and averted a possible fine for the company.
"Millions of European consumers will benefit from this decision by having a free choice about which web browser they use," competition commissioner Neelie Kroes said.
The browser choice screen will be provided both to users of new computers and to the installed base of Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 computers in Europe where Internet Explorer is set as the default browser.