Microsoft gets extension in EU antitrust case

European antitrust regulators have granted Microsoft's request to extend the deadline for responding to allegations that the company violated antitrust laws, setting a new deadline of April 21.

The European Commission in mid-January notified the software giant that it objected to Microsoft bundling its Internet Explorer browser in with its operating system.

Microsoft was initially given two months to respond in writing to the allegations, but requested additional time.

A spokesman for the European Commission said it's not usual for companies to request and receive extensions to their response to the Commission's statement of objections.

Since the Commission put Microsoft on notice of its objections, the software giant's arch-rival Google requested to be a "third party" to the proceedings, which will entitle it to review documents Microsoft presents in the case that are not otherwise available to the public. Like Google, Mozilla also requested third-party status in the case. Mozilla is the organization behind the popular Firefox browser.

In addition to a written response to the Commission's statement of objections, the software giant will also be allowed to request an oral hearing on the matter.

[DigitalFrog]

Maybe the primary lawyer is still waiting for his Vista laptop to boot...

[Commander_Spock]

This article reads in part; re: "The European Commission in mid-January notified the software giant that it objected to Microsoft bundling its Internet Explorer browser in with its operating system..."

Is this going to be another scenario like it was with Windows Media Player while "THE CONCORDE" is in mothballs and on the deck of a an old Aircraft Carrier in New York's Hudson River; and, the Linux Operating System along with alternative browsers are for free... with the Russians continuing to rely on the OS/2 Operating System that needs no browser to access the internet.

Therefore, something must be really wrong with the European way of thinking - Huh!

[Seaspray0]

Nice post, cmdr spock!

[Commander_Spock]

Re: "Is this going to be another scenario like it was with Windows Media Player while "THE CONCORDE" is in mothballs and on the deck of a an old Aircraft Carrier in New York's Hudson River; and, the Linux Operating System along with alternative browsers are for free... with the Russians continuing to rely on the OS/2 Operating System that needs no browser to access the internet".

U. S. Banking Executives who cannot find it easy should get together (sit down) with the U. S. based Microsoft Corporation, International Business Machines Corporation and the Russians and figure out how to fly "The Concorde Commercially - Again" since the Europeans appear not to be able to do so.

[Commander_Spock]

This should have read: "U. S. Banking Executives who cannot find it easy to the "Executive Jet of their choice should..."

[Commander_Spock]

Come on now Microsoft and do not be a sucker for these rabbit punches for the European Community move your operations to the home of President Obama's father - Africa; and, let the EU pass into the history books.