Microsoft, and EU are going toe-to-toe over a new mandate that the European Commission is wanting to put on the corporation. Ok, it’s not really a ‘toe-to-toe’ fight, as much as it’s the EU Commission telling Microsoft to comply with their law or incur some wrath.

The requirement that the EU Commission is looking to impose, would require Microsoft to give its OS users options for web browsers on their PCs. Besides just Internet Explorer (IE). Jonathan Todd, spokesperson for EU Competition Commissioner had this to say:

“If the Commission’s preliminary conclusions as outlined in the recent statement of objections were confirmed, the Commission would intend to impose remedies that enabled users and manufacturers to make an unbiased choice between Internet Explorer and competing third party web browsers”

This isn’t the first time that the EU Commission has thrown the law book at Microsoft for only offering one program to its users. Microsoft was fined earlier, for only providing Windows Media Player to its users. Since, Microsoft has released Windows bundles providing different options for media players.

I’m quite torn by this whole set of events. I’ll always agree that competition in any market is a good thing. Specifically for the consumer. But is government involvement really necessary here? Where’s that fine line between monopoly, and just smart dominating business practices. It’s not as if Microsoft only allows Internet Explorer as the only workable option for browsing.

Then you have to ask, what browsers is Microsoft required to include? Should they set up shop for everyone, even the remote lone browsers no one has heard of?

Could this mandate start a Pandora’s Box effect in the computer world. I think if anyone should be eyeballing this closely, it’s Apple. You want to talk about a company that leaves few options to its users. Everything in the world of Apple is proprietary. How will this new line of thinking in the EU Commission fit in Apple’s world? While I’m not a huge fan of Microsoft, this singling out by the EU Commission is fishy, and leaves an unpleasant taste in my mouth.

What are your thoughts on the situation? Feel free to leave your comments below.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!