beginning on Friday. Here's what it will look like, according to Mary Jo Foley's report. And they have worked out a kind of draft solution on interoperability standards, which Microsoft has published on its website. Both solutions are working off of two suggestions Microsoft proposed itself.
Here's
Microsoft's statement, glowing with happiness that their two proposals, with some changes suggested in the last month or so by the EU Commission, have basically been adopted, if the test works out. And here's Neelie Kroes' blog with her announcement:
Now the Commission has agreed to formally market test proposals made by Microsoft that, if adopted, would offer current and future users of Windows software in Europe a meaningful choice between Internet Explorer and its competitors.Are they pre-installed? Or only IE and you get to install any alternative if you so choose? What do you think? You have to download them. We all know how much people love to do that. Not. OEMs can preinstall any browser as the default, but come on. What do you think they'll choose? What is the improvement? Letting people know there are choices, I guess. That's better than nothing. But I can download any browser I want already. This is an improvement in that IE can't reassert control as the default, unless you want it to.
Currently Windows users (most computer users) do not get an upfront choice because Microsoft ties Internet Explorer to the Windows PC operating system. Under the new proposal users would be offered 12 browser options on a 'choice screen' appearing on their computers. This is the sort of effective and unbiased choice we have been looking for, so today is another positive step towards this outcome.
Nice when you get to choose your own solutions. Here are the EU documents, the press release and the
documents relevant to the case. Note what the press release says about interoperability:
In July 2009, Microsoft also made proposals in relation to disclosures of interoperability information that would improve interoperability between third party products and several Microsoft products, including Windows, Windows Server, Office, Exchange, and SharePoint (see MEMO/09/352 ). Microsoft is publishing improved proposals on its website. The Commission welcomes this initiative. Even though it remains informal vis-à-vis the Commission, Microsoft's proposal, which is in the form of a public undertaking, includes warranties that Microsoft offers to third parties and that can be privately enforced.Privately enforced? Informal? Meaning we get to pay to sue Microsoft? The EU Commission washes its hands regarding enforcement? I'm afraid that doesn't sound promising. The Register's John Oates noticed that very point. In essence, Microsoft will regulate itself on interoperability. I'm sure *that* will work out well. Here's the Warranty Agreement Microsoft agrees with itself to follow with regard to interoperability. It's in .doc format.
ECIS has put out a statement, pointing out some issues that seem not to be addressed and indicating it will be involved in the testing process, monitoring:
Hmm. I hope the EU Commission doesn't let Microsoft run a 'Get the Facts' type of 'market testing'. But remember, the 'market' means you. Technically this isn't a final decision, but absent negative feedback, it is. Even with it, it probably is. Let me show you."
ECIS and its member companies will analyse the commitments to verify their ability to ensure that Microsoft respects both the letter and the spirit of the settlement. The original Microsoft proposals published in July were inadequate in many respects. It is particularly important that any settlement includes vigorous enforcement mechanisms including regular monitoring to ensure that Microsoft lives up to its part of the deal and that users' choice of browsers is truly unbiased as Commissioner Kroes has promised.
