EU might block Vista
The Europeans are keeping a close eye on Microsoft. The EU Commission spokesman Jonathan Toddhas warned Microsoft that European sales of its new Vista operating system will be blocked if certain operating system features are included. He said: “We are concerned about the possibility that the next Vista operating system will include various elements which are currently available separately from Microsoft or other companies.”
Yahoo writes Microsoft was not available for comment. The software company has to be careful, they might face a 2 million euro ($2.4 million) daily fine(!) for the delays in implementing remedies set under the 2004 decision…
It would seem a bit harsh by the EU to block sales of Vista, I think it’s more likely that they will be forced to take out the extra functionality in Europe (like the ‘N’ editions of Windows XP, without Windows Media Player).
Read my take on this story at http://gizbuzz.blogspot.com/2006/03/eu-not-happy-about-vistas-bundled.html
Peter, thanks for your comment. The “Block”-part may have been too strong but I was inspired by the post at http://www.hearsay.com/wp-archives/2006/03/29/microsoft-eu-vista/
The EU might not really block Vista but if Microsoft doesn’t react I think they will try to take more legal actions against MS… It was said that the EU executive will open seperate proceedings against the company should it find that the operating system broke competition laws.
Also on http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=184400855
Hello.
I’m Japanese and always checking this website.^-^
This website is really nice.
I expect Windows Vista little.
So does anyone know what features? None of the articles I’ve read even hint at which features the EU isn’t happy with. The only thing I can guess at is the Widgets which remove the need for Konfabulator… I mean Yahoo Widgets. As this products is free I’m not sure that’s acutally a problem.
Concerns specifically appear to center on packaging of internet search functions and software, and the ability to create fixed document formats.
Neelie Kroes told the Wall St Journal Europe he expects Microsoft will design Windows Vista “in a way which is in line with European competition laws.” “It would be rather stupid to design something that is not,” Kroes said.
Via http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/03/29/vista_eu_antitrust/