The US software company Microsoft is finally going to pay a fine after the conflict over not having the option to use the Internet browser in the Windows operating system in Europe. The financial penalty imposed by the European Commission amounts to USD 731 million (EUR 581 million).Monopoly browser dispute:
In 2007, the Windows platform did not have a browser choice option
So initially its consumers could not use any browser other than Microsoft Internet Explorer. Norwegian browser company Opera was the first to complain about the issue. At the time Microsoft maintained that it was done for the convenience of customers, but in 2010 they introduced a browser selection pop-up screen after the matter was brought to the attention of the European Union. At the time, Windows promised to provide the screen until at least 2014 to avoid developer penalties. But after the release of Windows 7 update in February 2011, the browser selection option disappeared. The US company described the incident as a “technical error”.Monopoly browser dispute:
But these excuses could not protect
Microsoft from punishment. Under the law, the EU Commission can fine the company 10% of its global revenue—which, according to a 2012 report, amounted to about $7.4 billion.Monopoly browser dispute:
“We take full responsibility and express
Regret for the technical error that caused the inconvenience,” the Windows maker said in the commission’s fine decision. Microsoft said it is fully cooperating with the EU Commission’s investigation and taking steps to prevent similar problems from occurring in the future.
Not only Redmond, this step will be a precedent for other institutions.