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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| No IE onboard Windows 7 in Europe | No IE onboard Windows 7 in Europe |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| European buyers of Windows 7 will have to download and install a web browser for themselves. | European buyers of Windows 7 will have to download and install a web browser for themselves. |
| Bowing to European competition rules, Microsoft Windows 7 will ship without Internet Explorer. | Bowing to European competition rules, Microsoft Windows 7 will ship without Internet Explorer. |
| The company said it would make it easy for PC makers and users to get at and install the web browsing program. | The company said it would make it easy for PC makers and users to get at and install the web browsing program. |
| In response the Europaan Commission expressed scepticism over the move and if it would allay accusations of Microsoft abusing its market position. | |
| Abusive behaviour | Abusive behaviour |
| "We're committed to making Windows 7 available in Europe at the same time that it launches in the rest of the world," Dave Heiner, Microsoft deputy general counsel, said in a statement, "but we also must comply with European competition law as we launch the product." | |
| "We believe that this new approach, while not our first choice, is the best path forward given the ongoing legal case in Europe," he added. | "We believe that this new approach, while not our first choice, is the best path forward given the ongoing legal case in Europe," he added. |
| In response the European Commission said "It would also have to consider whether this initial step of technical separation of IE from Windows could be negated by other actions by Microsoft." | In response the European Commission said "It would also have to consider whether this initial step of technical separation of IE from Windows could be negated by other actions by Microsoft." |
| In early 2008, Microsoft was fined 899m euros (£765m) by the European Commission for anti-competitive behaviour over bundling in the media player and browser into Windows. | In early 2008, Microsoft was fined 899m euros (£765m) by the European Commission for anti-competitive behaviour over bundling in the media player and browser into Windows. |
| In January 2009, Brussels reached a "preliminary view" that Microsoft was denting the chance for true competition by bundling its browser software in with its operating system. | In January 2009, Brussels reached a "preliminary view" that Microsoft was denting the chance for true competition by bundling its browser software in with its operating system. |
| Microsoft is due to defend itself against the charges in a hearing. | Microsoft is due to defend itself against the charges in a hearing. |
| If Microsoft fails to convince the Commission that it is not harming competition could mean more fines and enforced changes to the way it does business. | If Microsoft fails to convince the Commission that it is not harming competition could mean more fines and enforced changes to the way it does business. |
| "We're committed to launching Windows 7 on time in Europe, so we need to address the legal realities in Europe, including the risk of large fines," said Mr Heiner. | "We're committed to launching Windows 7 on time in Europe, so we need to address the legal realities in Europe, including the risk of large fines," said Mr Heiner. |
| Windows 7 is due to be released worldwide on 22 October. | Windows 7 is due to be released worldwide on 22 October. |
| "In terms of potential remedies, if the Commission were to find that Microsoft had committed an abuse, the Commission has suggested that consumers should be offered a choice of browser not that Windows should be supplied without a browser at all," said the Commission in a statement responding to Microsoft's announcement. | "In terms of potential remedies, if the Commission were to find that Microsoft had committed an abuse, the Commission has suggested that consumers should be offered a choice of browser not that Windows should be supplied without a browser at all," said the Commission in a statement responding to Microsoft's announcement. |
| It said Microsoft's approach of offering the program to computer manufacturers "may potentially be more positive" in terms of remedying its alleged abusive behaviour. | It said Microsoft's approach of offering the program to computer manufacturers "may potentially be more positive" in terms of remedying its alleged abusive behaviour. |
| It added that if Microsoft were found to be abusing its position, the Commission would have to work out if the uncoupling of IE offset that behaviour. | It added that if Microsoft were found to be abusing its position, the Commission would have to work out if the uncoupling of IE offset that behaviour. |