MS to offer browser options in Europe.

[BC_Programmer]

And those fines are going to be passed on to the consumer one way or another.

So they're going to reduce the taxes on the consumer?

Because really I cannot see what they would be used for aside from some other crusade. Like, for example, against Google.

[James1431997]

right...

So when are they going to send you your cheque from the fines they collected?

If a company has breached laws, they deserved to be punished. The EU have to right to sue Microsoft for breaching those laws if they are found guilty. The EU can then use that money to help other things. For example to aid people in this economic downturn. I don't see how this has got from browsers to acusing the British of being bullies, to crusading agianst the European Union. 

[BC_Programmer]

If a company has breached laws, they deserved to be punished. The EU have to right to sue Microsoft for breaching those laws if they are found guilty. The EU can then use that money to help other things. For example to aid people in this economic downturn. I don't see how this has got from browsers to acusing the British of being bullies, to crusading agianst the European Union. 

Which EU laws?

[James1431997]

Which EU laws?

It's viewed as anti-competitive and abusing their position. There are competition laws within the EU that try to stop one company from having an "unfair" share of the market to the expense of the others within that market. And your avoiding the second half of my post.

[BC_Programmer]

It's viewed as anti-competitive and abusing their position. There are competition laws within the EU that try to stop one company from having an "unfair" share of the market to the expense of the others within that market.

[citation needed] I asked, WHICH laws, I didn't ask for a broad description of what they might mean.

And your avoiding the second half of my post.

I'm not ignoring the second half, since it is pure assumption. Note the "can use" portion. Of course they CAN but <DO> they? probably not. In fact like any taxes over 50% of them probably go towards raises for themselves.

I don't see how this has got from browsers to acusing the British of being bullies

NOBODY anywhere in this thread has accused the British of being bullies.

[James1431997]

NOBODY anywhere in this thread has accused the British of being bullies.

OK. I got it now.
 The British are bullies and that has nothing to do with IE.
They would be bullies even if IE did not exist. Is that right? 

Then again, that does appear to be a joke.

[citation needed] I asked, WHICH laws, I didn't ask for a broad description of what they might mean.

I'm a twelve year old, not a legal expert. I don't happen to know the name and content of every EU act or motion. I only know what I can pick up from the news.

[patio]

Then learn the difference between what's been posted in a Forum as matter of opinion and what laws are...
Be prepared to defend your position if you want to come out on top of these opinionated little squabbles.

Many out there will simply state generalities such as " MS broke the Law" or "they abused their market position" etc. etc.

One cannot abuse a market position...it is earned.
When the smaller fish realise this that is where non-sensical quotes like that come from...
And usually shortly thereafter the lawsuits...

And they have little or no basis in fact.

[evilfantasy]

How would you feel if you implemented a business plan that millions/billions of people bought in to just to have an outside organization translate laws for the sole purpose of cutting into your hard earned profits?

It's not MS or Googles fault that everyone uses their product. They are building better mouse wheels and some people just aren't far enough ahead of the game or have the funding to challenge their position. So they take the fallback approach which is to call in the bloodhounds. <- This is purely my opinion.

[patio]

It's viewed as anti-competitive and abusing their position. There are competition laws within the EU that try to stop one company from having an "unfair" share of the market to the expense of the others within that market

Ahhhhh...
You have fallen into the trap of discussing Socialism...
I didn't know the EU had quite made the formal switch...though i've suspected it for awhile.

[evilfantasy]

A good article on the Google case. HERE

[Geek-9pm]

A good article on the Google case. HERE

Nice catch. It is a new PCWorld article by  By David Coursey, PCWorld

With Google now in the crosshairs of a potential European Union antitrust investigation, it may be useful to remember that generally only successful companies get investigated. In that context, an anti-trust action may be the sincerest form a flattery that regulators and competitors can offer a business...

So then, maybe the attention  actually helps the big companies to have a platform to advertise new products and services.

[evilfantasy]

I just read some interesting thoughts on this new www.browserchoice.eu website.

Look at the browser choices, which are randomized with each visit, and consider what the real choices are.

• Google Chrome
• Microsoft Internet Explorer
• Mozilla Firefox
• Apple Safari
• Opera
• Maxathon
• GreenBrowser
• K-Melon
• Slim Browser
• Flock
• Avant Browser

.
Notice anything? Maybe it's that the majority of browsers shown to users to select from are Internet Explorer based. Internet Explorer, Maxathon, GreenBrowser, Slim Browser and Avant Browser are all built on the same technology as IE. Trident. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trident_%28layout_engine%29

Game point goes to MS.

[patio]

I've never judged anyone by what browser they select.....

Toes crossed.

[evilfantasy]

How to block the Browser Choice Screen in Windows 7