EU Concerned Windows Vista Could Break Antitrust Rules -- Redmondmag.com

EU Concerned Windows Vista Could Break Antitrust Rules

Investigation not pending, but commission wonders about integration of new features that can put Microsoft back into antitrust violation.

By The Associated Press
03/29/2006

(Brussels, Belgium) -- EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes has written to Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer to outline EU concerns that Windows Vista could break antitrust rules, said EU spokesman Jonathan Todd.

Todd said regulators were worried that Vista's new functions would mean customers would not be offered a real choice on software packages.

"We're concerned about the possibility that the next Vista operating system will include various elements which are currently available separately from Microsoft or other companies," he told reporters.

He highlighted Vista's integrated Internet search, digital rights management and software that would create fixed document formats comparable to Adobe's .PDF.

There is no investigation into Vista at this stage, he said.

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