Opera Files Complaint against Microsoft

Norway based Web browser developer Opera Software ASA yesterday filed an antitrust complaint against Microsoft with the European Commission.

They have accused the software giant of exploiting its market position by bundling up Internet Explorer (IE) browser with its Windows operating system. The software designer claimed that Microsoft is not following accepted web standards and is hindering interoperability.

Jon von Tetzchner, the CEO of Opera said, "We are filing this complaint on behalf of all consumers who are tired of having a monopolist make choices for them."

Opera has asked the commission to coerce Microsoft to separate Internet Explorer from Windows and/or to pre-install other browsers on the operating system. They are also asking that Microsoft adhere to accepted Web standards so that developers creating hosted applications and web sites do not need to write specific code for viewing on Internet Explorer compared to other browsers.

Opera is a member of the European Committee for Interoperable Systems (ECIS), a long-time opponent of Microsoft and is thus backed by this industrial coalition in its complaint.

It should be remembered that the EU had upheld the ruling in September that Microsoft had breached EU monopoly laws and had forced Microsoft to unbundle its Media Player software from Windows and to divulge interoperability information to rivals. This complaint by Opera is the first one against Microsoft since that crucial ruling.

Jason Hoida, who is Opera’s general counsel said in a statement, “The European Court of First Instance confirmed in September that Microsoft has illegally tied Windows Media Player to Windows. We are simply asking the Commission to apply these same, clear principles to the Internet Explorer tie, a tie that has even more profound effects on consumers and innovation. We are confident that the Commission understands the significance of the Internet Explorer tie and will take the necessary actions to restore competition and consumer choice in the browser market.”

Neelie Kroes, a spokesman for EU competition commissioner affirmed that the commission has received the complaint. He said, “We are going to study it carefully, particularly in light of the case law established by the Court of First Instance's ruling in September.”

Microsoft has said that it would fully cooperate with any inquiry on this issue.

Microsoft also emphasized that computer users are free to choose and set any browser as default, including Opera. Microsoft asserted that PC makers can also pre-install any browser as a default on any Windows machine they sell.