The European Commission has accepted a commitment by Microsoft to unbundle Internet Explorer from sales of Windows, and as a result has dropped its anti-competition investigation.
In lieu of bundling its own products, Microsoft will offer European manufacturers and users a selection of browsers via a ‘choice screen’ when they first purchase a Windows PC.
“Millions of European consumers will benefit from this decision by having a free choice about which web browser they use,” said competition commissioner Neelie Kroes. “Such choice will not only serve to improve people's experience of the internet now but also act as an incentive for web browser companies to innovate and offer people better browsers in the future.”
The case was initiated after the commission felt that competition was distorted by Microsoft tying Internet Explorer to Windows, as it offered an unfair advantage to the software giant due to the prevalence of Windows-based PCs.
Advertisement
Related Stories
- Microsoft gets heavy on educational pricing Feb 13th 2012 at 5:54AM
- Windows 8 'consumer preview' at the end of February Feb 9th 2012 at 7:36AM
- Microsoft gets stingy with Technet Feb 6th 2012 at 7:11AM
- Microsoft UK pricing could rise Feb 3rd 2012 at 12:06PM
- Microsoft Windows Phone 8 details emerge Feb 3rd 2012 at 6:49AM
- New WEEE law to be introduced Jan 26th 2012 at 2:28PM
- Windows 8 wireless networking improvements Jan 23rd 2012 at 5:38AM
- Microsoft's Windows revenue down Jan 20th 2012 at 5:53AM
- Microsoft promotes 'crapware'-free PCs as a selling point Jan 11th 2012 at 7:59AM
- CES 2012: Microsoft delivers final CES keynote Jan 10th 2012 at 6:33AM
Follow Follow this article if you would like to receive notifications of updates.
Add a new comment
You need to be logged in to post comments. If you do not have an account then please register.
Comments
0 comments
There are no comments yet, be the first to add one!