engine - 3:08 pm on Feb 25, 2009 (gmt 0)

Google Applies For 3rd Party in E.C. Proceedings Against Microsoft [googlepublicpolicy.blogspot.com] in Antitrust Case

Last month the European Commission confirmed that it had sent a statement of objections to Microsoft about the tying of Internet Explorer to the Windows operating system, which it said "harms competition between web browsers, undermines product innovation and ultimately reduces consumer choice." Then in a blog post earlier this month, Mozilla's Mitchell Baker weighed in, saying that "Microsoft's business practices have fundamentally diminished (in fact, came very close to eliminating) competition, choice and innovation in how people access the Internet." We are applying to become a third party in the European Commission's proceeding. Here's why: First, browsers are critical to the Internet -- they enable us to surf the web, search, chat, email, watch videos, or connect to our social networks. And because they are so central to every user's web experience, browsers are crucial to innovation online. Second, Google believes that the browser market is still largely uncompetitive, which holds back innovation for users. This is because Internet Explorer is tied to Microsoft's dominant computer operating system, giving it an unfair advantage over other browsers.

Earlier story

Mozilla Gets Seat On E.U. Microsoft Antitrust Case [webmasterworld.com]