Microsoft's market domination is once again being investigated by an official body. This time the European Commission is investigating Microsoft's commercial practises. The Competition Commissioner, Neelie Kroes is following up claims that Internet Explorer (the Microsoft web browser) is tied to the Windows operating system. Due to this 'tying,' competitors are finding it increasingly difficult to work with Windows.
Microsoft has only recently culminated a legal case where they were fined £608million for discrepancies with its Media Player. Once again the discrepancies consisted of interoperability issues concerning information on the Media software and Windows. The judge ruled they must allow rival software to operate on Windows and not tie their own software to the operating system.
The new charges follow the same vein but instead highlight problems with Internet Explorer and the ability of other software systems to browse the internet. One of the complaints came from Norwegian company Opera; they stated that, "We are doing this for the future of the web; we want to give people a choice so a site can look good whatever device is used to access it." Whether the arguments of Opera are completely altruistic is debatable although their belief that Microsoft is trying to control the 'gateway to the internet' by holding dominance over browser software holds water.
The Commission investigators will see if Microsoft has withheld information needed for interoperability from rival companies. They will also study the Open Office XML file format to see if Microsoft is releasing technologies that in effect, reduce compatibility. Microsoft in response to these fresh allegations said that they were "committed to ensuring that Microsoft is in full compliance with European law."
The monopolistic tendency of Microsoft is something that has angered commentators for some time. Its dominance and ability to bundle its software into many computers; if allowed to continue unabated, would lead many to have sole reliance upon Microsoft software. If this situation continues many have argued it could sound a death knell for developmental IT projects outside of the Microsoft umbrella.
There is no doubt that Microsoft's dominant position is a thorn in the side of many. It is hoped the European Commission will be able to bring Microsoft to heel with these new charges. If not we may be looking at a technological world completely dominated by Microsoft technologies.
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