• Microsoft under Fire; over Monopoly

    Microsoft under Fire; over Monopoly

    Techtree News Staff, Dec 13, 2007 1816 hrs IST

    The allegation against Microsoft is that it is abusing its monopoly as supplier of software to a majority of the world's PCs by bundling its Internet Explorer with Windows.

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Once again, Microsoft's monopoly over software is being questioned. This time round, by Norway-based Opera Software.

The Internet software developer has complained against Microsoft to the European Commission (EU), asking the regulator to force Microsoft to offer users a choice of Internet software along with its Windows operating system (OS).

Opera has even alleged that Microsoft is preventing developers from making software programs that are mutually workable, and that in doing so, is not following accepted Web standards.

The bone of contention is the EU's landmark antitrust ruling against Microsoft that was upheld by an EU court in September this year. The ruling requires Microsoft to market a version of Windows sans its Media Player program.

Opera is asking EU to apply the same antitrust ruling to Internet software.

The allegation against Microsoft is that the software giant is abusing its monopoly as supplier of software to a majority of the world's PCs by bundling its Internet Explorer (IE) program along with Windows, and not offering other alternatives to consumers.

In a statement, Opera has requested the EU to force Microsoft to unbundle IE from Windows, and/or carry alternative browsers pre-installed on the desktop.

Besides, Opera is questioning Microsoft's public pronouncements regarding 'supporting open Web standards', saying that even the EU would want Microsoft to follow fundamental open Web standards that are acceptable by a majority of Internet users.

Jon Von Tetzchner, chief executive officer of Opera, asserted that the company is championing the cause of the Open Web, and that they won't rest until they've brought fair and equitable options to consumers worldwide.

Microsoft meanwhile, remains incommunicado on the matter.

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Discussion Board
(8) Comments
Bharat
,Mumbai, on Dec 14, 2007 02:35 PM
Yes! Definately i am agree with Opera and other browser company that microsoft monopoly regarding IE.As i am using Vista Business edition and my IE is currupted and i am not able to repair as a IE component instead i ahve to load Vista repair which is very much time.... consuming.
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dookie
,Bangalore, on Dec 14, 2007 01:53 PM
I'm divided on this. I mean...the net is so commonplace right now. To have Microsoft not to bundle IE would leave a simple home user or a less computer savvy user helpless. What they should do is decouple IE from Windows in an efficient manner i.e one should not require that IE be installed for windows to work(which is Microsoft's argument now). Microsoft has always been dodgy on this and are unable to defend themselves on this point. They are being rewarded for their clever so called bad product development. Aah..many users have switched to firefox anyway. And to tell you the truth, I don't feel for these sw companies. When did they ever provide proper service to their indian customers? Make the whole world fair and I'll support them morally.
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gspal
,India, on Dec 14, 2007 11:22 AM
Bill Gates has made a lot of billions through his monopolistic operating systems. He is now distributing a part of his riches by funding development program. He robs us poor and then returns part of the robbery as alms. Who does he think he is? Robin Hood?
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Arnov Sarkar
,New Delhi, on Dec 13, 2007 08:34 PM
Each and every Software Giant should sue Microsoft!
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Rocks
,Philadelphia, on Dec 14, 2007 12:50 AM
MS is one of the greatest software making company, accept it, sales prove it. There are 90% chances that this article is read using some or the other MS software. Grow up. Even you are probably using Windows OS right now.
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Christopher
,Ahmedabad, on Dec 14, 2007 10:22 AM
Just ask any of the scores of Software Developers around if they wouldn't join Microsoft,if they are given a chance?
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Ravi
,Chennai, on Dec 14, 2007 10:37 AM
Definitely ! I am especially sick and tired of Internet explorer with all its glitches. Microsoft does incorporate dirty tricks to prevent others like opera or Firefox to work smoothly.
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Marty Didier
,Northbrook IL, on Dec 14, 2007 02:55 AM
A monopoly maybe the natural result of developing this software however there's something else with MS Windows at a higher level that many people don't know about that should be surfacing in the near future. When this surfaces many past questions will be answered.
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