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Microsoft Removes Internet Explorer From Windows 7 In Europe

Posted on: Friday, 12 June 2009, 11:05 CDT

Microsoft on Thursday announced it would be removing its Internet Explorer Web browser from new issues of the Windows 7 operating system in Europe due to antitrust claims.

Windows 7 is expected to ship worldwide on October 22, but consumers who purchase the software in Europe will not receive a copy of Internet Explorer.

The move comes from an EU order that Microsoft remove IE from its PC operating system after an investigation involving complaints from Opera Software ASA, a rival Web browser firm.

"We're committed to making Windows 7 available in Europe at the same time that it launches in the rest of the world, but we also must comply with European competition law as we launch the product," Microsoft deputy general counsel Dave Heiner said in a written release.

"Given the pending legal proceeding, we've decided that instead of including Internet Explorer in Windows 7 in Europe, we will offer it separately and on an easy-to-install basis to both computer manufacturers and users."

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."

Last year, the European Commission fined Microsoft 899m euros ($1.3 billion) for pairing its media player and Web browser with Windows.

"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.

"We will continue to discuss browser issues and other matters with the Commission," Heiner said.

"We know we need to have a clear plan in place to address the 'bundling' issue in Europe because, at the end of the day, the obligation to comply with European competition law belongs to Microsoft alone."

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Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports

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