"Opera Software filed a complaint with the European Commission yesterday which is aimed at giving consumers a genuine choice of Web browsers. The complaint describes how Microsoft is abusing its dominant position by tying its browser, Internet Explorer, to the Windows operating system and by hindering interoperability by not following accepted Web standards. Opera has requested the Commission to take the necessary actions to compel Microsoft to give consumers a real choice and to support open Web standards in Internet Explorer."
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
Member since:2005-07-06
You're missing (or willfully ignoring) a really big point: Microsoft is a monopoly that has been tried and convicted of abusing that monopoly position (remember, it's not illegal to have dominant market share; it's what they do from that position that is). This is not the same as Opera not supporting Silverlight or WMV. Not even a little. Really.
The reason the internet works is because it is based on open protocols. Think about this. The dominant operating system vendor also supplies the world's dominant web browser (remember that monopoly abuse I mentioned?). Once the market for IE was secured, Microsoft disregarded the open protocols that makes the web work and let the browser stagnate for many, many years. IE7 is an improvement over 6, to be sure, but the open standards that the web depends on are still only being paid lip service. This is a huge problem for companies like Opera whose business depends on these standards being standard.
So yes, litigation is a viable option. In fact, it might be the only true motivation Microsoft for get its act together.
RE[2]: Filing suit against other companies
Member since:2007-05-02
Member since:2006-01-12
Which standards they should support then? I mean it seems that every month or so we have new standards. Not even Opera meets all standards why should IE. Besides shouldn't the responsible of using standards be in Website creators? And who should decide which standards are required, I hope not W3C.
Since there is no standard called Internet or WWW, whole thing of saying that you should support open standards is pretty weak.
"This is a huge problem for companies like Opera whose business depends on these standards being standard."
Smells like crap to me. Biggest problem for Opera is that web browser is free nowdays and Thank God for that.
Member since:2005-10-28
RE[2]: Filing suit against other companies
Member since:2006-12-05
"If they're not good enough, you don't sue them, you outdo them. You'd think Opera would understand this principle."
As far as I'm concerned, Opera has been "outdoing" Microsoft's Internet Explorer for years. Who's been coming up with the majority of the new "features" in Web browsers these days? No, not Firefox--they can be credited for bring such innovations to the masses. IE sure as hell is not the innovator (more of the opposite--remember its years-long stagnation?), and IMO, is one of the worst browsers you can use. Opera has been the main innovator here, and I would say that in a way, they "outdo" both IE and Firefox--being the first browser to support many newer, useful features.
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:
2007-02-22
Suing Microsoft to force them to upgrade Internet Explorer?
It'd be amusing if Microsoft countersued Opera for not sufficiently supporting Silverlight, WMA, or some other crazy Microsoft-made technology. The principle is the same.
If they're not good enough, you don't sue them, you outdo them. You'd think Opera would understand this principle.
Edited 2007-12-13 18:38 UTC