EU fines Microsoft $731 million for broken promise, warns others

Socialist Europe has to get an infusion of $$ somehow but I doubt Spain or Italy will see any of it.

Well that’s just ignorant. Everyone has a choice of browsers beyond the copy of Internet Exploder bundled with every new PC. Chrome, Firefox, Safari to name a few.

Free and easy, just download and click yes to make it the default browser. I’m no cheerleader for Devil Gates but the Euros are just trolling for bucks and publicity on this one.

The EU’s answer to bailing itself out. My only question is why a double standard for Apple? They have included Safari only in IOS and OS X for how long? Never even get’s a hard look from the EU? I don’t think anyone needs to have this option anyway. Most people are prompted enough times with options to install another browser. From Google search asking you to install Chrome to Firefox ads on all kinds of web sites. To me the EU’s policies are like legal exstortion.

Would the Commission care to enforce all Community laws without fear or favour?

Further details by searching in Google for “Windle stops swindle’

Cheers

Srinivasan ‘Common informer’ Devrajan

Hang on. I don’t ever remember Apple offering a browser option with any of their kit. It’s Safari, and that’s it. Also, no advise on any other browser options available. $731 million is a bit extreme is it not? I think Microsoft will appeal.

They’re lucky it’s not my company. I’d give them a billion even, then turn off 15 million random OS’s in Europe.

@CaptnCrunch true, but most PC buyers don’t know that much
@jscott418 Apple does not have a monopoly position in operating systems, word processors, spreadsheets, etc., so it is not an antitrust violation.
Hurrah for the EU – our wimpy antitrust enforcement in the U.S. has been a joke for decades. However, for such a blatant violation, the fine seems rather small.

I think the wording of Microsoft commitment and promise is where the EU is playing this nonsense game! The fact of the matter is that any user with limited ability is able to download any of the browsers and make default. it does show that EU stands for Euphoria of ignorance!

And if MS refuses to pay? I would. Eat static.

In general, don’t see why big government should be involved in something so trivial.

However… As someone whos professionlly developed web sites since 1996, I can tell you that of all the browsers out there Microsoft Internet Explorer is the worst. I build standards complaint web applications that work perfectly on other browsers except Internet Explorer, because Microsoft is slow to add new standard features and fix their existing bugs. Not to mention that most viruses take advantage of some vulnerability in Internet Explorer.

They have lagged behind for years. Knowing this, I want to barf everytime I see a Microsoft Internet Explorer commercial. Microsoft is really doing the general public a great disservice with Internet Explorer. They can do us all a favor and save some money in the process by discontinuing it.

Apple/Android has a virtual duopoly on Mobile OS. Can I expect a similar fine for them?

Good on the EU. Pushing out a major software release that didn’t conform with law was no accident. These guys have pulled this kkrp too many times.

OPadilla wrote:
In general, don’t see why big government should be involved in something so trivial.

Really? Trivial? A company achieves a huge majority of market share with a product that you yourself went on to describe as inferior. They achieve that market share by leveraging a near monopoly in the marketplace. Millions of users/consumers are impacted. The company agreed it used unfair practices and further agreed to legally-binding conditions for future action, then blatantly violated the binding agreement. (Oh, but it apologized…) And you don’t see why “big government” gets involved? You seem to have an amazing tolerance for huge companies violating the law. Amazing!

Sounds like the EU commission is using Microsoft as a cash cow. Microsoft should remove all browsers and only install the OS. Then the user could order a browser by mail.

Yeah, sure. I get it. Because everyone should be required to market their competitors’ products. And because Europeans have trouble spelling Google.