Microsoft’s commercial practises under scrutiny once more
Just last month, web browser maker Opera filed an antitrust suit against Microsoft and yesterday, the European Commission announced two new investigations into Microsoft’s commercial practises.
The investigations will focus on two key areas of Microsoft's software arsenal, its Internet Explorer web browser and its Microsoft Office suite.
Microsoft has been accused of abusing its dominant position on the desktop PC by bundling its Internet Explorer browser with its operating systems. A method which competitors such as Opera state leaves little-to-no room for competition.
In terms of Microsoft Office, the company has been accused of refusing to disclose interoperability information, an act which competitors claim severely hampers compatibility with other products.
The European Commission has made clear that there is currently no proof of any antitrust violations on Microsoft's behalf and that the software giant is only being investigated at this time.
Having lost out to the EU in recent years and being forced to offer a version of Windows without Media Player, Microsoft will no doubt be hoping these new investigations don't lead to similar penalties.
Call us sceptical but this one doesn't sound good for Microsoft. Seeing as bundling Media Player was deemed a violation, Internet Explorer seems to be destined for a similar fate.
