Software giant Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT ) is being hit with a fine from the European Commission for not offering users a browser choice screen that would allow them to easily choose an alternate browser. Microsoft had previously committed in 2009 to including this screen in its Windows 7 Service Pack 1. The fine totals 561 million euros ($732 million).
Microsoft was previously in compliance with the agreement but last July, regulators noticed that Microsoft had stopped complying. The company acknowledged that there was a "technical error" within the Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and promised to correct it promptly, accepting responsibility for the mistake.
In a statement today, Microsoft again acknowledged the technical error that caused the problem and again took full responsibility. The company said it provided regulators with a complete assessment and took steps to improve software development to avoid future mistakes.
RSS Headlines
Fool UK
Comments from our Foolish Readers
Help us keep this a respectfully Foolish area! This is a place for our readers to discuss, debate, and learn more about the Foolish investing topic you read about above. Help us keep it clean and safe. If you believe a comment is abusive or otherwise violates our Fool's Rules, please report it via the
Report this Comment icon found on every comment.
Report this Comment On March 06, 2013, at 12:46 PM, jimmy4040 wrote:
Gates should take the company private, since he runs it as if it were anyway.
Ballmer a complete disgrace as CEO, new proof like this coming out monthly if not weekly.
Report this Comment On March 06, 2013, at 5:40 PM, CluckChicken wrote:
"Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT ) is being hit with a fine from the European Commission for not offering users a browser choice screen that would allow them to easily choose an alternate browser."
I think this is not really a fine to punish MS as much as it is for the EU to make a money grab. IE is the number 3 browser used in the EU, this doesn't strike me as people having a hard time finding another browser.
Report this Comment On March 06, 2013, at 7:42 PM, TheRealRacc wrote:
Actually I don't recall much of the specifics but Gates was engaged with the DOJ over anti-trust suits for many years.
Add your comment.