Die Europäische Kommission wird am Freitag die Zusagen vorstellen, mit denen Microsoft eine weitere Kartellentscheidung (mit potentieller “Rekordgeldbuße”) verhindern will.
Die Kommission geht davon aus, dass Microsoft den Wettbewerb im Browser-Markt durch die Bündelung des Betriebssystems Windows mit dem Internet Explorer 7 behindert und dadurch Artikel 82 EG verletzt.
Frau Kroes hatte jüngst angekündigt, das Verfahren rasch zum Abschluss bringen zu wollen; dazu hier.
Im Kern:
Under its revised proposal, Microsoft would make available for five years in the European Economic Area (through the Windows Update mechanism) a choice screen enabling users of Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 (Microsoft’s next version of its PC operating system) to choose which web browser(s) they want to install in addition to, or instead of Internet Explorer. Likewise, in future versions of Windows, including Windows 7, PC manufacturers would be able to install competing web browsers, set those as default and disable Internet Explorer.
Frau Kroes erklärt:
What has changed since July?
The changes that Microsoft has made to its proposal since July are designed to improve still further to the ability of consumers to make a free and fully informed choice of web browser. Microsoft has in particular agreed to present users with a first screen explaining what web browsers are. ‘Tell me more’ buttons for each browser would also enable users to learn more about the web browser they may wish to install. The user experience would be better and the choice screen would better represent competing browser vendors. Finally, the proposed commitment would now be subject to a clause allowing the Commission to review it in the future to ensure that consumers would continue to have a genuine choice among browsers.
With these improvements, I believe that the proposal is ready for formal market testing. On Friday we will therefore publish a notice in the Official Journal asking for comments on Microsoft’s commitments. A copy of this notice will be available on the Commission’s website today. If accepted, the choice screen would be distributed to users within two months from our decision.
Before we proceed to questions, let me also say a few words on interoperability. As you may recall, in July Microsoft also made proposals about disclosures of interoperability information. These proposals would improve interoperability between third party products and several Microsoft products. These products include Windows, Windows Server, Office, Exchange, and SharePoint. Microsoft has improved these proposals as well, as you will be able to see on its website very soon.
I welcome this initiative. Even though it remains informal vis-à-vis the Commission, it would include warranties that Microsoft would offer to third parties and that could be privately enforced.
Quellen: Pressemitteilung der Kommission, Stellungnahme von Frau Kroes.
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