PING
I hate Microsoft - that’s why I use Foxfire.
Opera files antitrust complaint with the EU
Urges Microsoft to give consumers a genuine choice of standards—compliant Web browsers
Oslo, Norway and Brussels, Belgium — 13 December 2007
Opera Software ASA, the only company that can put the Web on any device, filed a complaint with the European Commission yesterday which is aimed at giving consumers a genuine choice of Web browsers.
The complaint describes how Microsoft is abusing its dominant position by tying its browser, Internet Explorer, to the Windows operating system and by hindering interoperability by not following accepted Web standards. Opera has requested the Commission to take the necessary actions to compel Microsoft to give consumers a real choice and to support open Web standards in Internet Explorer.
“We are filing this complaint on behalf of all consumers who are tired of having a monopolist make choices for them,” said Jon von Tetzchner, CEO of Opera. “In addition to promoting the free choice of individual consumers, we are a champion of open Web standards and cross-platform innovation. We cannot rest until we’ve brought fair and equitable options to consumers worldwide.”
Opera requests the Commission to implement two remedies to Microsoft’s abusive actions. First, it requests the Commission to obligate Microsoft to unbundle Internet Explorer from Windows and/or carry alternative browsers pre-installed on the desktop. Second, it asks the European Commission to require Microsoft to follow fundamental and open Web standards accepted by the Web-authoring communities. The complaint calls on Microsoft to adhere to its own public pronouncements to support these standards, instead of stifling them with its notorious “Embrace, Extend and Extinguish” strategy. Microsoft’s unilateral control over standards in some markets creates a de facto standard that is more costly to support, harder to maintain, and technologically inferior and that can even expose users to security risks.
“Our complaint is necessary to get Microsoft to amend its practices,” said Jason Hoida, Deputy General Counsel, Opera.”The European Court of First Instance confirmed in September that Microsoft has illegally tied Windows Media Player to Windows. We are simply asking the Commission to apply these same, clear principles to the Internet Explorer tie, a tie that has even more profound effects on consumers and innovation. We are confident that the Commission understands the significance of the Internet Explorer tie and will take the necessary actions to restore competition and consumer choice in the browser market.”
Opera has long held the position of innovator in the Web browser market, having introduced and pioneered features like tabbed browsing, Speed Dial, integrated search bar, mouse gestures, Opera Link™ and many others. Absent Microsoft’s abuse, Microsoft would have been forced to compete on a level playing field with Opera and other browsers. Instead of innovating, Microsoft has locked consumers to its own browser and only recently begun to offer some of the innovative features that other browsers have offered for years.
Both of Opera’s requested remedies are intended to give consumers greater freedom and flexibility while at the same time ensuring that the Web further develops into a platform for innovation. Opera believes that the remedies will help promote consumer rights worldwide and force Microsoft to begin competing with Opera and others on the merits of its browser.
use Mozilla FireFox...
Oh, thought it was Oprah.
Nevermind
Yipee, the EUropeans can’t even give their software away so they sue Americans in their kangaroo courts again.
Nothing annoys me more than running into a Web site that is IE only. I am sympathetic to their calls for IE to become standards compliant, but this seems a little excessive to get to that end. Especially since it won’t actually help them much in marketshare I don’t think. Who is going to seek out a different browser that hasn’t already, especially if IE is improved?
And it is ridiculous to think that a modern OS doesn’t need a bundled browser. Now maybe you should be allowed to delete it if you so choose, but you have to have something to get online to download the browser of your choice with.
Disclaimer: I am NOT a Microsoft fan by any stretch of the imagination.
That said, no one is forcing anyone to use IE or any MS product.
What I see here is another Netscape situation in the making. Another company who either won’t or can’t compete, regardless of the obstacles. And now you turn to one of the most socialist minded court systems to cure your failings. Here’s a tip for you...give consumers the product that provides the so called “experience” that they desire, and you’ll succeed.
Too bad, so sad. Opera is a very good browser, very fast, indeed. But still, it’s buggy, especially in .nix platforms. Your documentation is confusing and outdated at best. Lacking complete sections of needed information to setup and fully use your product, and glossing over others.
You guys need to concentrate on your product, which could be one of the best with a bit more effort, and not on your lawyers.
Well guess what. Since the Microsoft VM wasn't compliant with the Sun Java standards, applications that are designed to work with the MS VM will often times NOT WORK with Sun's Java. This is the case with this company. Although I was eventually able to find the installable files on the Internet, and it can be installed on XP, this doesn't bode well for the future.
Mark