Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Subscribe
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Subscribe
    Home Latest News

      Europe Proposes Unbundling Media Player

      Written by

      Caron Carlson
      Published August 6, 2003
      Share
      Facebook
      Twitter
      Linkedin

        eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

        Taking a tougher stance on Microsoft Corp.s use of its market power than the United States recently took, Europe is proposing remedies for alleged non-competitive behavior that include greater interface disclosure requirements and potentially the unbundling of Windows Media Player from the operating system.

        The European Commission said in a news release Wednesday that it has collected further evidence from consumers, suppliers and competitors that bolster an earlier finding that Microsoft is using its dominant position in the PC market as an advantage in the low-end server market. Insufficient interoperability between Windows and rival products is impeding competition, the Brussels, Belgium, regulator said.

        When contacted by the commission, a majority of small, medium and large enterprises in all industries across Europe said that interoperability factored into their purchasing decisions. The commission concluded that the amount of interface information that Microsoft discloses alters consumer choice in favor of Microsoft server products.

        The commission said it also found that by tying Media Player to Windows, Microsoft is weakening competition, stifling product innovation and ultimately reducing consumer choice.

        Europe plans to impose a series of remedies, including interface disclosure requirements that would allow competitors in the low-end server market to fully interoperate with Windows products. To remedy what it calls the “tying” problem, Microsoft would either have to provide a version of Windows without Media Player included or provide rival media players with Windows.

        Depending on Microsofts reaction to the objections and remedy proposals, the commission can impose a fine of up to 10 percent of the companys annual sales, said Wilfried Schneider, spokesman for the delegation of the European Commission in Washington. “If they would comply with the proposals, there would be no fine, obviously,” Schneider said. “If they implement the remedies that the commission wants them to, then theres no fine.”

        “We will not speculate on possible outcomes or the suggested remedies, and will continue to focus our efforts on responding to the commissions concerns,” said Microsoft spokesman Jim Desler. “Microsoft takes this investigation very seriously, and continues to work hard to maintain a dialogue that will allow positive resolution to the commissions concerns and this new Statement of Objections.”

        The commission has not completed its probe, and is giving Microsoft a final chance to comment.

        (Editors Note: This story has been updated since its original posting to include additional comments from Microsoft and the European Commission.)

        Caron Carlson
        Caron Carlson

        Get the Free Newsletter!

        Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

        Get the Free Newsletter!

        Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

        MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

        Artificial Intelligence

        9 Best AI 3D Generators You Need...

        Sam Rinko - June 25, 2024 0
        AI 3D Generators are powerful tools for many different industries. Discover the best AI 3D Generators, and learn which is best for your specific use case.
        Read more
        Cloud

        RingCentral Expands Its Collaboration Platform

        Zeus Kerravala - November 22, 2023 0
        RingCentral adds AI-enabled contact center and hybrid event products to its suite of collaboration services.
        Read more
        Artificial Intelligence

        8 Best AI Data Analytics Software &...

        Aminu Abdullahi - January 18, 2024 0
        Learn the top AI data analytics software to use. Compare AI data analytics solutions & features to make the best choice for your business.
        Read more
        Latest News

        Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

        James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
        I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
        Read more
        Video

        Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

        James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
        I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
        Read more
        Logo

        eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

        Facebook
        Linkedin
        RSS
        Twitter
        Youtube

        Advertisers

        Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

        Advertise with Us

        Menu

        • About eWeek
        • Subscribe to our Newsletter
        • Latest News

        Our Brands

        • Privacy Policy
        • Terms
        • About
        • Contact
        • Advertise
        • Sitemap
        • California – Do Not Sell My Information

        Property of TechnologyAdvice.
        © 2024 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

        Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.