There is a chance that Europe’s anti-trust regulators could today impose a new fine on Microsoft, for failing to offer Windows users an alternative to Internet Explorer. This follows a 2009 agreement that Microsoft would give users a choice of alternative browsers – and which it failed to do for about a year.
In July 2012, Microsoft apologised for the oversight, citing technical issues that had gone unnoticed. At that stage, it updated Windows 7 and Windows 8 to offer a choice.
However, in October, the European anti-trust chief charged Microsoft for not standing by the agreement.
So, although Microsoft escaped a fine in 2009, it may not face new penalties.
In July 2012, Microsoft apologised for the oversight, citing technical issues that had gone unnoticed. At that stage, it updated Windows 7 and Windows 8 to offer a choice.
However, in October, the European anti-trust chief charged Microsoft for not standing by the agreement.
So, although Microsoft escaped a fine in 2009, it may not face new penalties.