Microsoft Corp. got an early Christmas present when the European Commission announced Wednesday that it was dropping its antitrust case against the company.
The commission had charged that Microsoft distorted competition by tying Internet Explorer to Windows. European regulators argued that this tying hindered innovation in the market and created artificial incentives for software developers and content providers to design their products or Web sites primarily for Internet Explorer.
To settle the case, Microsoft promises to offer computer makers and Windows users in Europe the ability to install different Web browsers, and to allow them to turn Internet Explorer on or off. Microsoft also committed to making far-reaching interoperability disclosures.
"Millions of European consumers will benefit from this decision by having a free choice about which web browser they use," said EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes in a press release. "Such choice will not only serve to improve people's experience of the Internet now but also act as an incentive for web browser companies to innovate and offer people better browsers in the future."
Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith in a statement said the company was "pleased with today's decision by the European Commission, which approves a final resolution of several longstanding competition law issues in Europe."
for full article see link: http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202436380397&EU_Drops_Antitrust_Case_Against_Microsoft
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