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To Appease EU, Microsoft Offers Browser Choice With Windows 7

Company allows rivals, settles antitrust case

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 24, 2009 1:46 PM CDT

(Newser) – Microsoft will offer a choice of web browsers to European users of the new Windows 7 operating system to avoid an antitrust fine, Bloomberg reports. “When you’re looking at ongoing fines in a downturn, it makes more sense to settle,” one analyst says. The EU says the software giant will ship Windows 7 with a “ballot screen” allowing users to choose a preferred browser at setup.

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates.
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates.   (AP Photo)
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, right, and Windows president Steven Sinofsky announce the anticipated release of Windows 7.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, right, and Windows president Steven Sinofsky announce the anticipated release of Windows 7.   (AP Photo)
This is an image of a page on the Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 Web site.
This is an image of a page on the Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 Web site.   (AP Photo)
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Microsoft is basically capitulating. Microsoft was able to absorb fines and be more aggressive with their legal strategy when business was good, but when you’re looking at ongoing fines in a downturn ...
- Matt Rosoff, Directions on Microsoft

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Snarfeh
Jul 25, 2009 4:26 AM CDT
0.75, were you reading? ;o) The browser choice is for EU customers, not US customers, although I hope that changes...
ack
Jul 24, 2009 11:17 AM CDT
Is Apple also required to offer a choice? Oughta be.
Yourself
Jul 24, 2009 10:42 AM CDT
independantthinker, no offense, but you're not thinking, let alone reading..."the software giant will ship Windows 7 with a “ballot screen” allowing users to choose a preferred browser at setup. " As in, there will be a small application that will run instead of a browser, giving you the choice of browser to use...

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