EU fines Microsoft $731 million for broken promise, warns others

[easyhosting]

(Reuters) - The European Union fined Microsoft Corp 561 million euros ($731 million) on Wednesday for failing to offer users a choice of web browser, an unprecedented sanction that will act as a warning to other firms involved in EU antitrust disputes.

 

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/06/us-eu-microsoft-idUSBRE92500520130306

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2289005/Microsoft-fined-485-MILLION-EU-breaking-promise-Windows-users-choice-web-browser.html

[Alex - Arvixe]

A while ago I read that this was an ACCIDENT on Microsofts end, a (human or technical) error that caused one of their OS systems to not receive the update when they thought it did have the update.

 

That mistake holds a large price tag

[easyhosting]

A while ago I read that this was an ACCIDENT on Microsofts end, a (human or technical) error that caused one of their OS systems to not receive the update when they thought it did have the update.

 

That mistake holds a large price tag

 

expensive mistakes since 1998

 

Fine raises total EU penalties against Microsoft to 2.16 billion euros

[Alex - Arvixe]

expensive mistakes since 1998

 

Fine raises total EU penalties against Microsoft to 2.16 billion euros

 

Ouch, I think the fine is a little harsh to be honest even when it was just $731 million but 2.16 billion .

 

Why I think its a little harsh: I believe it to be an honest mistake. They had the browser choice update for the majority of their systems, only a very small percentage wouldn't have gotten this browser choice update and because of that I believe them when they say it was a technical mistake.

 

I think they are simply using Microsoft as an example to others who may be in or near violation of antitrust laws.

 

Edit: The only system Microsoft was unable to get this browser choice window update on was: Windows 7 service pack 1, all others had the update.

Edited March 7, 2013 by Alex - Arvixe

[easyhosting]

Mistake or not they broke their LEGALLY BINDING agreement. the thing with Microsoft they are too big and think that they can do whatever they want in the believe the law does not apply to them.

 

the 2.16 Billion is a combination of EU fines since 1998

 

Edit: The only system Microsoft was unable to get this browser choice window update on was: Windows 7 service pack 1, all others had the update.

 

regardless how many million PCs/Laptops were sold with Windows 7 service pack 1 rolled out between mid-2011 and mid-2012 that were not given the choice.

Edited March 7, 2013 by easyhosting

[vec]

I think it's all a bunch of crap... they should fight it.

[easyhosting]

I think it's all a bunch of crap... they should fight it.

 

WHY! MS signed a LEGALLY BINDING contract/agreement, which they broke, so they would never win a fight

[easyhosting]

[h=1]Google Snitched on Microsoft Who Must Now Pay a $732 Million Fine[/h]

The tired spat between Google and Microsoft just got a lot more interesting after reports that the search giant tipped off European authorities to antitrust concerns, a tip that will now cost the Windows-maker nearly a billion dollars.

 

 

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/technology/2013/03/google-snitched-microsoft-who-must-now-pay-732-million-fine/62839/

[DavidBee]

I think the EU should get a grib. I'm sick fed up seeing all these larger companies getting fined. Browsers are free also so no ones making money.

 

Personally I think the decision to make them offer a choice was stupid. More experienced tech users will use the browser of choice while the least tech savy and others will just use IE as it does the job for them.

[easyhosting]

I think the EU should get a grib. I'm sick fed up seeing all these larger companies getting fined. Browsers are free also so no ones making money.

 

Personally I think the decision to make them offer a choice was stupid. More experienced tech users will use the browser of choice while the least tech savy and others will just use IE as it does the job for them.

 

i bet that Microsofts Legal agents went over the document with a fine toothcomb and had weeks of it going back and forth until both sides were happy before it was ever signed. so they would have been fully aware of any penalties if they broke it.

 

it was the fact that the less savvy were pushed into using IE without being given the choice, while companies with lesser known browsers were never given a chance to have their products used

[DavidBee]

it was the fact that the less savvy were pushed into using IE without being given the choice, while companies with lesser known browsers were never given a chance to have their products used

 

Users are given a choice when buying the computer, One with windows and microsoft products or one without windows.

[Alex - Arvixe]

I think the EU should get a grib. I'm sick fed up seeing all these larger companies getting fined. Browsers are free also so no ones making money.

 

Personally I think the decision to make them offer a choice was stupid. More experienced tech users will use the browser of choice while the least tech savy and others will just use IE as it does the job for them.

 

Well it isn't just the EU that has these laws, the states do also and they are quite important.

 

The primarily reason for these laws are to protect competition, understandably due to what can happen when a company would own such a large portion of the market.

[disgruntled]

(Reuters) - The European Union fined Microsoft Corp 561 million euros ($731 million) on Wednesday for failing to offer users a choice of web browser, an unprecedented sanction that will act as a warning to other firms involved in EU antitrust disputes.

 

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/06/us-eu-microsoft-idUSBRE92500520130306

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2289005/Microsoft-fined-485-MILLION-EU-breaking-promise-Windows-users-choice-web-browser.html

 

Does anybody actually care? every single person who owns a computer has the choice to install their own software, hardware and even build to their own design if they so choose. This is not a choice made by the OS producers but the end user.

 

The fact the EU believes that a company not offering a choice of web browser within their own intellectual property is wrong, or believes they have the rights to do anything about it is disgraceful and only goes to show exactly why the EU is in the dreadful state it is now. They couldnt organise a pissup in a brewery, what on earth makes them think they can run the world when they cant even run their own member stated without driving them into the ground.

 

Whats next, Are we all to be fined for not offering enough choice? the choice is there, if you dont like whats on offer, there are plenty of other options available. For instance, i dont like windows, i have one copy for certain things, like my live chat software. Other than this i use Ubuntu linux. IMO its more reliable, takes up less resources and FREE! why would anybody want to pay for an over priced under developed resource hog? its beyond me.

[easyhosting]

Does anybody actually care? every single person who owns a computer has the choice to install their own software, hardware and even build to their own design if they so choose. This is not a choice made by the OS producers but the end user.

 

The fact the EU believes that a company not offering a choice of web browser within their own intellectual property is wrong, or believes they have the rights to do anything about it is disgraceful and only goes to show exactly why the EU is in the dreadful state it is now. They couldnt organise a pissup in a brewery, what on earth makes them think they can run the world when they cant even run their own member stated without driving them into the ground.

 

Whats next, Are we all to be fined for not offering enough choice? the choice is there, if you dont like whats on offer, there are plenty of other options available. For instance, i dont like windows, i have one copy for certain things, like my live chat software. Other than this i use Ubuntu linux. IMO its more reliable, takes up less resources and FREE! why would anybody want to pay for an over priced under developed resource hog? its beyond me.

 

so the EU commission TOLD Microsoft to sign the agreement and so MS did this no questions asked. I DONT THINK SO.

 

the agreement wpould have been well checked and most likely amended before ever being signed by both parties, so MS were well aware of the agreement and penalties if they broke it. this was not about users choosing a browser AFTER they installed service pack 1 with IE, it was an agreement that MS agreed to allowing users to choose a browser of their chose at the installation stage, so the user does not install IE, but the browser they want.

[Alex - Arvixe]

Does anybody actually care? every single person who owns a computer has the choice to install their own software, hardware and even build to their own design if they so choose. This is not a choice made by the OS producers but the end user.

 

The fact the EU believes that a company not offering a choice of web browser within their own intellectual property is wrong, or believes they have the rights to do anything about it is disgraceful and only goes to show exactly why the EU is in the dreadful state it is now. They couldnt organise a pissup in a brewery, what on earth makes them think they can run the world when they cant even run their own member stated without driving them into the ground.

 

Whats next, Are we all to be fined for not offering enough choice? the choice is there, if you dont like whats on offer, there are plenty of other options available. For instance, i dont like windows, i have one copy for certain things, like my live chat software. Other than this i use Ubuntu linux. IMO its more reliable, takes up less resources and FREE! why would anybody want to pay for an over priced under developed resource hog? its beyond me.

 

Erm you are aware that this law isn't an EU only law right? The US has the same laws to protect competition also.

 

In fact 13 or so years ago it was this law that had split Microsoft in half. I'm sure a browser window ballot is a much more favorable option that splitting the company in half again?

 

Regardless, they broke their agreement and must now pay for it. They will move on from this no problem.

[easyhosting]

What others are forgetting Microsoft legal team would have gone through the agreement before even having it signed, so MS would have not been forced to sign anything unless they were happy with what they were signing

[disgruntled]

so the EU commission TOLD Microsoft to sign the agreement and so MS did this no questions asked. I DONT THINK SO.

 

Read my post again, I didnt state that they did, Dont go off at me based on your imagination.

 

 

the agreement wpould have been well checked and most likely amended before ever being signed by both parties, so MS were well aware of the agreement and penalties if they broke it. this was not about users choosing a browser AFTER they installed service pack 1 with IE, it was an agreement that MS agreed to allowing users to choose a browser of their chose at the installation stage, so the user does not install IE, but the browser they want.

 

There is a really simple solution then, dont offer an install of a web browser at all. Of course this would require a user that is savvy with the prompt but hey, it would keep the internet police over there happy.

 

 

My key point and one that seems everybody over looked, in the grand scheme of the world, whether microsoft offer an alternate web browser or choose to supply only their own web browser ABSOLUTELY FREE. then that is the choice of microsoft, im not getting into contract and legal trappings its quite simple, the EU wanted some money because its skint so the fat cats at microsoft will have to lay off the golf course this week.

[disgruntled]

Erm you are aware that this law isn't an EU only law right? The US has the same laws to protect competition also.

 

 

I'm not in the USA, i wouldnt know anything about their laws but thats besides the point, the EU cant run themselves, its quite obvious they have so many states in crisis yet they feel the need to tinker with other things in the world that are truely meaningless to anything but the EU bank balance.

 

This isnt a matter i should have even commented on to be fair i have far more important things to worry about.... now where did i put my gum drops