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06.07.05
Microsoft Makes Some Progress, Says EU
 By David Utter
A recent proposal by the Redmond-based software and game console
maker to avert antitrust penalties gains some praise in Europe.
The ongoing issue of software interoperability will see Microsoft
make some data available for free and to loosen some restrictions
on how that data may be used. This progress has lightened
some European commentary on the company.
Now, the European Commission will seek industry approval
of Microsoft's proposal before deciding to accept it. Microsoft
faces a daily fine of about $5 million USD per day if the
proposal doesn't satisfy EU requirements.
"I remain determined to ensure that all elements of
the decision are properly implemented," European Competition
Commissioner Neelie Kroes said in a statement today.
"I am happy that Microsoft has recognized certain principles
which must underlie its implementation of the commission's
decision."
But the other issue, the unbundling of the Windows Media
Player from the Windows operating system, remains. The EU
did not comment on Microsoft's proposal in that area.
Previously, it is thought that EU regulators believed Microsoft
would provide a version of the operating system without the
media player that would be technically inferior to a full
version of Windows. It is speculated that users of the unbundled
version would be forced to seek out the free download of the
Windows Media Player to restore any missing functionality.
On the issue of interoperability, where Microsoft has made concessions,
the software maker says software developed with the disclosed
source code and protocols should not be distributed as open-source.
Microsoft has been seen as dragging its feet in regards to
the antitrust ruling, hoping to get the ruling thrown out
on appeal. Microsoft is appealing the EU antitrust decision
at the European Court of First Instance in Luxembourg, Europe's
second- highest court.
Court Filing Complains About Microsoft Icons
By David Utter
The Redmond-based software company will have to make adjustments
to the Windows XP operating system to satisfy a court ruling.
A court filing on Wednesday by the Department of Justice,
along with some states, complained about the Internet Explorer
icon appearing on web-related files stored on a computer where
a different web browser was the default for the system.
According to a CNET News report, the filing also complained
that disabling Internet Explorer in Windows XP does not automatically
delete shortcuts pointing to the program.
As part of the same filing, Microsoft agreed to update the XP
operating system to satisfy those concerns. These seemingly
minor details were uncovered by an oversight committee formed
after the 2001 antitrust settlement between Microsoft and the
federal government.
Microsoft has had its plate full recently with antitrust issues.
A deadline expired this morning for the company to comply with
the European Union's antitrust ruling against it. Microsoft
filed documents proposing a resolution to the EU's ruling before
the midnight deadline.
The EU will spend the next few weeks reviewing that proposal,
one which addresses the licensing of server source code to
third-party developers working on interoperable products,
and another concerning the sale of the Windows operating system
without bundling the Windows Media Player with it in Europe.
About the Author:
David Utter is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology
and business. |
WebProWorld Dev Forum
