Press Release: Antitrust: Commission fines Microsoft for non-compliance with browser choice commitments

The European Commission has imposed a €561m fine on Microsoft for failing to comply with its commitments to offer users a browser choice screen enabling them to easily choose their preferred web browser.

In 2009, the Commission had made these commitments legally binding on Microsoft until 2014. In the decision of 6 March 2013, the Commission finds that Microsoft failed to roll out the browser choice screen with its Windows 7 Service Pack 1 from May 2011 until July 2012. 15 million Windows users in the EU therefore did not see the choice screen during this period. Microsoft has acknowledged that the choice screen was not displayed during that time.

ESO: Background Information: Antitrust: Commission confirms sending a Statement of Objections to Microsoft on the tying of Internet Explorer to Windows http://www.europeansources.info/record/memo-antitrust-commission-confirms-sending-a-statement-of-objections-to-microsoft-on-the-tying-of-internet-explorer-to-windows/

ESO: Background Information: Antitrust: Commission market tests Microsoft's proposal to ensure consumer choice of web browsers; welcomes further improvements in field of interoperability http://www.europeansources.info/record/memo-antitrust-commission-market-tests-microsofts-proposal-to-ensure-consumer-choice-of-web-browsers-welcomes-further-improvements-in-field-of-interoperability/

European Commission: Rapid: SPEECH/13/192: Statement by VP Almunia on Microsoft http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-13-192_en.htm

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