Brussels, 16/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 16 December, the European Commission adopted a decision which will make the commitments proposed by Microsoft to boost competition on the Internet browser market binding. For around 10 years, the Commission was of the opinion that the American software giant was abusing its dominant position to make consumers use its Internet Explorer web browser. By agreeing to make a series of concessions, Microsoft has avoided a fine of up to 10% of its annual turnover, or 6 billion euros.
Further to a complaint brought by a Norwegian developer of browsers, Opera Software, the Commission raised the issue of the potentially anti-competitive nature of Microsoft bundling its operating system Windows with its browser, Internet Explorer, in full knowledge of the fact that Windows is installed on 90% of the world's computers. In order to appease the Commission's fears and avoid heavy financial sanctions, Microsoft has agreed, for the next five years, to allow all European users of Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 to choose which browser they have installed on their computer (Firefox, Chrome, Opera, etc.) via a multi-choice pop-up box. The commitments made by Microsoft also provide for producers of computers originally equipped with Microsoft to be able to deactivate Internet Explorer fully, in order to install a rival browser. "Millions of European consumers will benefit from this decision by having a free choice about which web browser they use", the Competition Commissioner told the press. Neelie Kroes explained that Microsoft's commitments had been approved because the software giant had considerably improved its positions on the multi-choice pop-up box and that it would report back to the Commission on its observation of its commitments every six months, and then every year. She added that "the Commission needs a mechanism to allow it to resolve any problems which may arise on this complex (software) market". Lastly, Ms Kroes welcomed the fact that Microsoft had undertaken to guarantee the interoperability of its products, although this commitment was taken on a voluntary basis. (O.L./trans.fl)