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18 Jun 2007
Microsoft and Google are squaring off again over alleged anti-trust violations.
In a leaked Department of Justice (DoJ) filing, Google reportedly claimed that the desktop search features in Windows Vista favoured Microsoft's proprietary software over third-party applications such as Google Desktop.
The move violates the terms of the landmark 2002 antitrust settlement, according to Google, in which Microsoft agreed not to use its position as the dominant PC operating system vendor to promote its other products.
Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer was quick to dismiss the filing, referring to the complaints as "baseless".
"We continue to comply with the consent decree we signed with the US government in recognition to the findings around our position with Windows," he told reporters.
Ballmer appears to have the backing of at least one member of the DoJ. The New York Times reported that assistant district attorney Thomas Barnett sent a memo urging state attorneys general not to pursue the case against Microsoft.
Google would not specifically respond to Ballmer's remarks, but a spokesperson provided vnunet.com with a statement explaining the company's position.
"Microsoft's current approach with Vista desktop search violates the consent decree and limits consumer choice," read the statement.
"The search boxes built throughout Vista are hard-wired to Microsoft's own desktop search product, with no way for users to choose an alternative provider from these visible search access points."
Google and Microsoft have been trading antitrust accusations for more than a year. In May 2006, the search giant lobbied the DoJ and the European Union, claiming that Internet Explorer 7 unfairly directed users towards Microsoft's MSN Search.
Microsoft has made antitrust accusations of its own against Google, most recently concerning Google's purchase of ad firm DoubleClick.
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Google is Playing a Dangerous Game
Google seems to be missing the big picture and is sacrificing its longterm business interest for an attempt to slowdown a chief competitor. The European Commission's competition arm wants to ban dominant firms from integrating new technologies into their existing products. Last time I checked, Google was a dominant firm (at least by EC standards) that integrates lots of new technologies into its dominant products. Google shouldn't be playing into their hands. http://blog.actonline.org/2007/06/eric_schmidt_sh.html
Posted by: Mark 19 Jun 2007
Just give me a break
Google, and other companies like it, are trying to ignite frivolous claims to take a bite out of Microsoft's market share. Don't get me wrong, it's fine to take a bite out of Microsoft's market share if you are creating an innovative product and users choose one product over another. It's an entirely different matter, however, to make claims and try to muscle the government to push Microsoft around. The search boxes in the Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System are a critical part of the system. Microsoft, being the company that built the operating system, knows the most about its inner workings. The search boxes that are scattered throughout the operating system are designed to provide a consistent end user experience for everyone. Everyone who purchases or uses a copy of Windows Vista will have out of the box instant search capabilities. Third party utilities, like Google Desktop, are still available. They can also still be installed and used instead of, or in conjunction with, Microsoft's product. Microsoft is not strong-arming Google (or any other desktop search utility) out of the market. Users still have the choice. They can install Google Desktop and use it instead. There is no evidence to suggest that Windows Vista will detect and destroy every instance of Google Desktop on a users system. If that were to happen, THAT would be a violation of the anti-trust laws. Because Microsoft knows the most about the inner workings of their operating system, their desktop search utility consumes less resources, is more efficient, and generally easier to use. I am a Microsoft Windows Vista user. I have tried Google Desktop, and a couple of other utilities in the genre. Microsoft's Search Utility blows the competition out of the water. Google, concentrate on developing new and innovative products that can generate revenue for your company instead of preying on other companies.
Posted by: Patrick 18 Jun 2007