On 2004, Microsoft had some issue with the European commission based on the windows media player. They were claiming that by having windows media player already installed on the operating system, and then there would be no choice for competitors to show off their products like real player. Therefore, Microsoft shipped N version of Windows XP and vista in order to comply with the European’s commission. But this solution didn’t work because they were offering the full version in parallel.
Opera, a Norwegian browser initiated the complaint on December 2007, and asked the commission to deal with Internet Explorer (IE) as they did with Media Player. Therefore, according to the complaint on Thursday, June 11th 2009, Microsoft offered to give the version out without having Internet Explorer on it. The new version for European country would be Windows 7 E version. “But the commission in a statement, dismissed the offer, saying the move could not further its goal of promoting browsers that compete with Internet Explorer.” But the most important reason for rejection of this offer is that the European commission did not want to repeat a mistake, when Microsoft ordered the software maker to sell a N version of windows which is without its media player. Commission is deciding on idea to suggest Microsoft to distribute windows with competing Web browsers installed and then allow retailers, computer makers or even customers to decide from a “ballot screen” menu which browsers to install. The ballot screen options, or in other words the web browsers candidates are Mozilla’s Firefox, Apple’s Safari, Google’s Chrome, and Opera beside Internet Explorer.
As in the other article Microsoft mentioned, it needs start telling OEMs by the end of this week what exactly they expect in Windows 7, so they can begin the software engineering work necessary to have their windows 7 PCs available in stores on that day. Microsoft is moving forward with a collaborative tone: "We will continue to discuss browser issues and other matters with the Commission. But even as the Commission processes continue, 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".
I agree with the complaint that Opera made on this situation. But there is a case if a customer receives the PC without any web browser installed, and he doesn’t have enough knowledge to use the computer. Then how this problem is going to be solved for him. I as one that I almost tried every web browsers, I personally more comfortable to use IE and Google chrome than the others. Even it was very hard for me to choose which browser to use. I prefer to have IE already installed than the others. Also the E version is not going to work as the commission mentioned too in case of selling the complete version in parallel.
Source:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/13/technology/companies/13euro.html?ref=world
Other Sources:
http://www.dailytech.com/Windows+7+Will+Ship+Without+Internet+Explorer+in+European+Markets/article15305.htm
http://www.euractiv.com/en/infosociety/new-eu-competition-case-looms-microsoft/article-169118
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