As reported earlier this week, Microsoft has submitted a proposal to the EU regarding a ballot system to be included with Windows 7 that will allow European customers to choose their browser upon installation.
The EU was insistent that including IE with Windows by the Redmond Corporation had been violating user’s rights in all of their past operating systems and wanted to see multiple options included in all of Microsoft’s currently supported operating systems; it appears that the Commission will have their way.
In a recently released report outlining the proposal, Microsoft has included the follow statement:
“Microsoft will distribute a Ballot Screen software update to users within the EEA of Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows Client PC Operating Systems, by means of Windows Update as described hereafter: A software update enabling the Ballot Screen to be displayed will be made available to all current and future users of Windows XP and Windows Vista who receive updates from Windows Update.
“For Windows XP and Windows Vista users the Ballot Screen update will first be made available between 3 and 6 months after the adoption of the Commission’s decision under Article 9 of Regulation 1/2003. For Windows 7, the Ballot Screen update will first be made available to users by the date of the general commercial release of Windows 7, or within two weeks of the adoption of the Commission’s decision under Article 9 of Regulation 1/2003, whichever comes later. For Windows Client PC Operating Systems after Windows 7, the Ballot Screen update will first be made available at the general commercial release date of such an operating system.”
What specific browsers available via the ballot system is still yet to be released, there are some general guidelines in the report. Up to 10 competing browsers, that have more than .5% of the European market share will be included. This could see the return of the Netscape browser, and inclusion of Apple’s Safari PC version. Opera clearly expects to be included as they were the original source that brought the IE scandal to the EU’s attention. The company also adamantly states that they oppose the use of logo’s in the ballot system, as it gives IE an unfair advantage due to its familiarity.
The Commission has yet to official accept the offer, but as far as one can tell, the submitted plan is exactly what they were looking for and should help Microsoft avoid another billion dollar fine.
The full proposal can be downloaded here
July 30, 2009 06:20 AM
So because you live in Europe you can't just go download and Install Firefox, opera, chrome or safari on your own? The thing the EU has forgotten is that Microsoft is a business and since they are the ones producing windows 7 they should be able to choose what is included, if you don't want IE don't buy windows, or just download your favorite browser, install it and set it as the default browser.
Microsoft is the one having it's rights infringed on, the right to a free market and to produce their product in the way they see fit. EU is just a bunch of crying sissy's because they don't have microsoft and are stuck buying their OS from the US.
If a Euro cant figure out how to download firefox using IE, don't give him the choice of 10 browsers, you'll just confuse the poor guy hahahaha jk.
July 30, 2009 04:08 PM
Microsoft is the one having it's rights infringed on, the right to a free market and to produce their product in the way they see fit. EU is just a bunch of crying sissy's because they don't have microsoft and are stuck buying their OS from the US.
If a Euro cant figure out how to download firefox using IE, don't give him the choice of 10 browsers, you'll just confuse the poor guy hahahaha jk.
July 30, 2009 11:29 PM
July 31, 2009 04:07 PM
I have to agree that the EU has no right doing this, Microsoft should be able to include what ever browser they want on their own OS. If Firefox or Opera want more publicity and more awareness of them they should advertise more, end of story.
August 1, 2009 08:34 AM
I'd like to see the results of having this ballot system. Let's actually see if people will try and use another browser. Most people don't like change so they'll keep using IE. This shall be very interesting.
August 1, 2009 08:53 AM
To me MS is responsible for a lot of things BUT this is just a plain old MONEY GRAB. It seems every time I turn on the telly the EU is slamming another North American company with mega fines. Seems to me like they plain on financing that "European Union" turd with (non EU country based) companies money indefinitely.
What is next? EU fining Nestle Chocolate Chip cookies for infringing on EU based chocolate chip manufactures rights by not giving EU peeps the right to specify a different brand of chocolate used in the cookies!? If you don't like MS IE don't use it! MS makes an OS and includes what can be considered an essential application. After all how are you supposed to download FF, Opera, etc WITHOUT access to the net? I know I only use IE on a fresh install to download FF, and don't consider myself exploited because I had to use a FREE program to download the FREE program that I prefer. The only way I could see EUs POV is IF MS charged extra for IE and then dropped the non IE version of the OS.
August 1, 2009 09:42 AM
Who needs to advertise when you have the pre-dominantly socialistic and protectionist politicians of the EU working for you.
When IE was integrated into the Windows OS there was a real anti-monopoly case, but when MS had to once again make IE a stand alone program, that should have been the end of it.
I have to agree that the EU sure likes to bend Non-EU companies over the barrel.