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The EU Commission goes To The Opera
Opera Software, a small Norwegian company, that has produced an innovative web browser since 1994, has claimed victory in their anti-trust complaint about Microsoft's practice of forcing users of their Windows operating system to use the Internet Explorer browser. The case, filed with the European Commission in December 2007 has just been settled. although some might see this as a squabble over a particular piece of software, there are serious implications for all who use the internet as a web browser is "the gateway to the internet" and Opera say that "if one company dominate, they can dictate web standards". Commissioner Kroes said "Millions of European consumers will benefit from this decision by having a free choice about which Web browser they use". Microsoft's Internet Explorer once dominated the internet, with an estimated 95% of the browser market in 2003, but this has declined to 68% today. Although the browser has been plagued with security problems, mainly because it is embedded deep inside the operating system, making it easier for malicious virus and trojans to take control of a computer, Microsoft slowed development after the release of version 6 in 2001. The next version was released in October 2006. In the meantime, the Mozilla Foundation produced the open source Firefox browser which now has around 25% of the market. Another competitor is Google, whose Chrome browser is gaining popularity on the back of the company's reputation. Currently, Opera has under 2% of the web browser market, but it's browser for mobile phones is the market leader. Despite the low level of usage, Opera were the first to develop many features now on other software, such as the use of tabs, where users can view many pages from one screen.
The solution to the case is that, when installing a Windows system, people will be presented with a screen, where they can choose which browser they want to install. Opera will be watching this closely and cite Microsoft's history of ignoring or circumventing judgments against it. The US company will report to the EC every six months on the implementation of the ballot screen. Opera are delighted at the decision and of their small and poorly funded case team who took on the might of Microsoft. They say that the EC saw the use of open web standards as an issue of strategic importance for Europe.
“This is a victory for the future of the Web. This decision is also a celebration of open Web standards, as these shared guidelines are the necessary ingredients for innovation on the Web,” said Jon von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera Software. “Opera has long been at the forefront of Web standards, which ensures that people have equal access to the Web anytime, anywhere and on any device. We see the outcome of the EU’s investigation as a testament to our mission.”
“The days when companies could use poor standards support to tie down users are over,” said Håkon Wium Lie, Chief Technology Officer, Opera Software. “The browser choice screen will give users access to better browsers with better support for Web standards.” Microsoft declared themselves to be "pleased" by the decision, but it turns out, not pleased enough to offer the choice of browsers to those living beyond Europe.
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