The European Commission is soliciting advice on the method it should mandate in order to force Microsoft  to enable rival browsers to be downloaded directly from Windows.
According to an article published in the online edition of the Wall Street Journal, the EC sent out a questionnaire on Friday to PC makers and software vendors that, among other things, is asking for recommendations on the best method of implementing what it sees as a remedy to Microsoft's dominance in the browser market, sources familiar with the matter said.
Hearing No Show
On January 15, the European Commission issued a statement of objections concerning Microsoft's practice of tying its Internet Explorer browser to Windows, in which the commission set forth the evidence it had gathered to date. In the document, European competition authorities also outlined their preliminary determination about Microsoft's method of linking IE to Windows, which they said was harming competition between Web browsers, undermining product innovation and ultimately reducing consumer choice.
Microsoft, which filed its formal response to the EC's statement of objections in April, had an opportunity to respond to the charges at a formal hearing set for early June. However, the software giant decided late last month to cancel its appearance after learning that many principal European government officials would instead be attending the International Competition Network meeting in Zurich.
"We raised concerns about this scheduling conflict with the Commission the very same day we were notified of the proposed hearing date" and "asked the Commission to consider alternative dates," said Dave Heiner, Microsoft's deputy general counsel, last month. "Unfortunately, the Commission has informed us that June 3-5 are the only dates that a suitable room is available in Brussels for a hearing" and "declined to reschedule."
Seeking Consensus
To arrive at a final ruling, the EC will have to rely on the written statement that Microsoft submitted in April, together with the comments of interested parties such as the European Committee for Interoperable Systems (ECIS), which counts IBM, Nokia, Opera Software and Oracle among its members. The software giant once again faces the possibility of a substantial fine, together with the requirement that it enable rival browsers to be downloaded directly from Windows.
"Whatever happens, Microsoft is absolutely committed to offering Windows 7 in Europe in a manner that is fully compliant with European law," Heiner said. (continued...)
|
