I have never understood this law at all. How can they not allow Microsoft to bundle software when Apple does the same thing on their platform?

because the EU are apple fanboys, 'nuff said.

surely this will mean that microsoft need to pay money to whoever provides browser software for inclusion, putting up the price of windows even more in europe???

Thanks again EU - If I remember rightly, Microsoft claimed that windows XP/Vista were more expensive due to increased operating costs in Europe with regard to the Media Player.

@Helloworld_98: I hardly see how the EU are Apple fanboys, however I do concur with the sentiment that nobody complains about Apple bundling Safari with OSX.

I think however it's because Safari hasn't been a major part of web stagnation and a security hole like IE5/5.5/6 has been for many years.

I've said before that if IE was on the cutting edge of internet technology and standards then nobody would really have an issue because we developers can drive the net forward and wusers won't be so susceptible to viral attacks when they stupidly click the wrong phishing link.

However IE6 (as the primary culprit) is so shoddy and retarded you have to spend as much time working around its issues as you do building you web app - that does give alternate browsers a shot at marketshare, but your average Joe Soap doesn't know or care about other browsers and just use what they have in front of them - IE IS the internet.

It's easy to rip IE out of Windows, but I don't see how Microsoft are expected to include other versions though - most users will have no idea what's what when they'd be presented with a list of browsers to choose from (either at install or on first-run) and will probably just go with IE because "it's Windows as well".

Alternatively, equipment suppliers will very soon fall into the same trap by putting their choice of browser on a pre-installed system. Dell could run exclusively with IE by striking a deal with Microsoft, whereas HP could do the same with Mozilla. Now although we do see things like handset exclusivity with mobile carriers, I can rapidly see the EU stomping on company x because they have a sponsorship or marketing deal with browser maker y.

LePhuroon: I understand about IE and its non-compliant standards and lets not even get started on its security But the fact remains that it is clearly not about 'web stagnation' this is more about attacking Microsoft this isnt the first time this has happened they have done it with windows media player as well.

It almost seems like they are pushing Windows to be more like Linux install where you have to pick every piece of software that you would like to have installed as part of your OS. Not a bad thing in my books but for an average user this would be confusing and a pain.

One has to wander if they are intentinally trying to force Windows to be less user friendly while the people over at Apple are bundling to their hearts content, making a system that is tightly locked down but ultimetely offers what the user wants.

Exactly - how come Microsoft is now "bad" when Apple does the same (or even worse thing)? Not only they bundle the whole browser (and iTunes) with the OS but also they demand you to run these things on their hardware... As far as I know there was a big thing about that kind of thing in France over the iPhone? Can someone finally sue Apple for doing exactly the same thing as Microsoft?
Uhhmm... you can always use Linux if you find M$ or Apple'$ prices too expensive...
regards

And another thing... It will be quite difficult for M$ for two reasons...
Things like Sharepoint Server and Web Access to Exchange, Remote Desktop Connection, etc... are all available as an "ActiveX" extensions to IE... if They strip that out of the OS it will be a massive PITA for users to actually use these technologies without an IE's engine... This will obviously introduce a lot of new issues, support queries, etc, etc, etc... Ideally what MS should do is to "strip the IE7 down to an engine without FrontEnd that would be only used for M$ stuff and then develop a "Browser" that works and is standard compliant... Or perhaps they could do the first and leave the latter to people knowing what they are doing (FF, Opera)...

^^^

Oh I agree with those sentiments entirely and would also like to see Apple's practices brought under the same spotlight. However, the focus is on Microsoft because people are complaining about Microsoft.

Is it Microsoft-bashing for Mozilla to jump on the EU's case? Probably yes as they can leverage their grievances with IE and its Windows ubiquity to further their own cause and increase Firefox's market share. At this point in time Apple users tend to be a bit more tech-savvy so are more likely to know about other browsers and download their personal preference. As a result, the bundling of Safari doesn't stifle browser competition.

However, I guarantee the moment that changed and other browser makers took a hit because of Safari's bundling people would be up-in-arms, banging on about unfair practices and abusing their position.

Looking at the bigger pciture, yes Apple does abuse its position to enforce OSX usage to its own hardware but they'll only get legal trouble for that when it becomes an issue for somebody big. Right now nobody of any importance gives a shit, it's not hurting (in real or imagined terms) anybody's business so is not an issue.

Shit I know, but that's just the way it is.