Microsoft Offers Plan To Resolve Browser Dispute With EU

Microsoft has proposed letting users choose which Web browser they want to use with Windows in an effort to resolve a long-running antitrust dispute with the European Commission.

Friday the European Commission issued a statement confirming the Microsoft offer of a proposed resolution and said it welcomed the new proposals. Earlier this month there were unconfirmed reports of a proposed resolution.

European Union regulators have long maintained that Microsoft's practice of bundling its Internet Explorer software with Windows violates EU antitrust laws. In January the EC sent Microsoft a "Statement of Objections" formally notifying the software giant of its antitrust investigation, saying that tying Internet Explorer with Windows harmed innovation and reduced customer choice.

Under Microsoft's proposal, the Windows 7 operating system, due for availability in October, would include Internet Explorer. But users would be shown a "ballot screen" from which they could choose a competing browser, set the alternative browser as a default and disable Microsoft IE. Also under the proposal, OEMs would be able to install competing browsers, set those as the default and disable IE.

"The proposal recognizes the principle that consumers should be given a free and effective choice of Web browser," the EC statement said. "The commission welcomes this proposal and will now investigate its practical effectiveness in terms of ensuring genuine consumer choice."

There had been discussions about separating IE from Windows altogether. But the EC said that without such measures as a ballot screen, that idea, in practice, would not have provided consumer choice and so "would not have been an effective remedy."

The EC also has been investigating complaints that Microsoft refused to disclose information that would allow third-party developers to design programs that work with Windows and Windows Server. Microsoft, according to the EC statement, has "made proposals in relation to disclosures of interoperability information" to resolve the complaint -- proposals the EC said would "require further investigation."

Last week at Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference, CEO Steve Ballmer said past rulings by the European Commission have made Microsoft's situation "unclear" and he said Microsoft had "done its best" to comply with antitrust regulations.

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