Microsoft charged with Monopoly abuse again

Software giant Microsoft has been charged with abusing the Monopoly in the Operating system segment.  The latest verdict from the European Commission charges Microsoft of harming healthy competition by bundling Internet Explorer (IE) with its flagship Operating System – Windows.

Microsoft’s IE, continues to be, by far the most used Web browser software.  According to a recent  survey report, although its market share dipped to 68%, the lowest since its inception, it holds a big monopoly in the Internet Browser market segment, as compared to the next popular browser – Firefox with a 21% market share.

These chargings are pounded upon Microsoft, after a detailed investigation as claimed by the Commission, which lasted for more than a year.  These charges have been laid on the Microsoft, for which it is expected to deliver response within 8 weeks.

“Microsoft’s tying of Internet Explorer to the Windows operating system harms competition between web browsers, undermines product innovation and ultimately reduces consumer choice,” says a statement from the Commission.

Prior to this incident also, Microsoft had been accused of similar charges with a fine of over 1.6 billion Euros, by the European Commission.  It can also be recalled that the Commission had imposed a fine of 899 million euro last year for late compliance.

Apparently, the investigations had begun at the behest of the rival browser maker – Opera . Opera Software CEO, Jon von Tetzchner, commended the verdict : “On behalf of all internet users, we commend the Commission for taking the next step towards restoring competition in a market that Microsoft has strangled for more than a decade. The Commission’s Statement of Objections demonstrates that the Commission is serious about getting Microsoft to start competing on the merits in the browser market and letting consumers have a real choice of internet browsers”.

Microsoft from Redmond has said that it is currently studying the commission’s preliminary findings, and may further request a formal hearing.