The EU may stop Microsoft selling Vista in the EU if it bundles certain browsing, search or security functions
EU threatens Microsoft with Vista ban
/v3-uk/news/1958614/eu-threatens-microsoft-vista-ban
29 Mar 2006, Matt Chapman , V3
The European Union will stop Microsoft selling its Vista operating system within EU borders if the software comes bundled with certain browsing, search or security functions.
Neelie Kroes, the EU's top antitrust regulator, wrote to Microsoft on 20 March expressing her concerns about the new software, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.
In an interview with the paper, Kroes said that no decision had yet been taken on whether the EU would hold a formal investigation into Microsoft's Vista software.
Microsoft has already announced that Vista will not be ready until 2007 because of delays in testing.
The EU's worries have been sparked by complaints from rival companies in the software market which feel that Microsoft's next release will have an impact on their products.
Google, for example, is known to be unhappy about the possibility of Internet Explorer 7 pointing users to Microsoft's MSN search engine.
The Wall Street Journal also claims that antivirus vendor Symantec has complained to EU regulators about the possibility of Microsoft's including antivirus software in Vista. However, Symantec has not issued a formal complaint against Microsoft.
"We are not part of any effort or any organisation advocating that a formal complaint be filed by the European Commission against Microsoft," said the company in a statement.
"Symantec has received and has cooperated with requests for information by the European Commission. We have provided information to assist the government in understanding the complexity of the information security industry and our role in it.
"Symantec's role in this situation is limited solely to its response to inquiries made by the European Commission and goes no further."
Microsoft claims that it will not be adding antivirus software into Vista, although it will include a spyware removal tool called Windows Defender.
The software giant is still fighting previous actions taken by the EU over its Windows XP software, with private hearings scheduled for 30 and 31 March.
The EU must decide whether Microsoft has complied with the antitrust order from March 2004, and could levy another huge fine if it finds against the company.
Microsoft's appeal against that original antitrust hearing goes to the EU court in Luxembourg in April.
© Incisive Media Investments Limited 2010, Published by Incisive Financial Publishing Limited, Haymarket House, 28-29 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4RX, are companies registered in England and Wales with company registration numbers 04252091 & 04252093
Do you agree?
Interesting Thought
Its not like the EU is without a solution, linux is free not to mention it has half the bugs of windows. Maybe the EU banning vista will put linux on the forefront and we'll all have a good OS to run apps in, if people started designing apps for linux we wouldn't have to pay for microsoft products anymore.
Posted by John Doe, 25 May 2006
Pathetic
Its completely pathetic. If these companies think they're going to lose out well thats their fault in the first place. If the EU are going to ban Vista here in the UK or anywhere else in Europe. I'm off to America.
Get a grip EU and leave Microsoft alone!
Posted by J Barlow, 20 Apr 2006
Microsoft should respond - nastily
Microsoft should exlude all the disputed bundled productsa from it's EU version, but still charge full price as it will be removing product provided for free. Lets see how long the EU regulators keep their jobs when businesses and individuals have to pay extra for products in the EU that the rest of the world get for free.
Posted by Geoff, 31 Mar 2006
Greed?
Why on earth is this total witch hunt against Microsoft not only in Europe but world wide? The only true reason I can think is that because they are a cash rich company layers and governments want to get their noses in the trough; MS where recently fined £330 odd million in Europe so who gets the money and how much? Would anyone dare print a breakdown? I think not.The more I read of the law suits the more I am convinced greed is the motivator, and not some 'high moral ideal'. (if the later give the proceeds to chaity!)
Posted by Ken MacDonald, 30 Mar 2006
Bundling
Much as I sympathise with the various manufacturers of anti virus software, firewalls, anti scam, and anti any other of the afflictions which plague the internet, to the average computer user, a giant bundled system, from MS or anybody else is most attractive
Posted by eric gendle, 01 Apr 2006
EU? What EU?
Its about time these jokers calling themselves OUR defenders of rights asked US what we want instead of telling us what we want. I for one will be buying Vista when it releases no matter what these idiots say. Try to sort out immigration first then try jobs etc. Leave softweare to users, we will decide what we want not you!!!!!!!
Posted by Tim, 03 May 2006
Which Linux?
Yes Linux is free but which of the 50 t 60 Linux versions do we use, Debian, Redhat, Zenwalk, Linspire, Knoppix, Mandrake, Suse, Mandiva, Gentoo.......... The list goes on
Posted by redsnappa, 05 Sep 2006