MICROSOFT HIT WITH ANOTHER EU ANTITRUST SUIT

This post mixes news with my opinion.  I welcome the thoughts and opinions of others.

From PC World:

Opera [browser company] is asking the [European] Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, to force Microsoft to unbundle IE from Windows, or include other browsers as a standard part of its operating system. It also wants it to require Microsoft to adhere to industry standards with its Web browser.

The issue of standards is seen as important because if all Web browsers do not use the same standards, Web site developers are likely to design their Web sites to work with the most widely-used browser, which is Internet Explorer. That gives people a disincentive to use other browsers.

"By tying its Internet Explorer product to its monopoly Windows operating system and refusing to faithfully implement industry accepted open standards, Microsoft deprives consumers of a real choice in internet browsers. Browsers are the gateway to the internet. Microsoft seeks to control this gateway," said Thomas Vinje, speaking for ECIS [European Committee for Interoperable Systems].

Let's review.  

1. Microsoft has created the world's most popular browser.
2. Opera has created a competing browser that is preferred by a few users and has a tiny market share. 
3. Opera has sued Microsoft in the E.U. claiming that (1) bundling IE with an operating system is unfair and (2) that Microsoft should be FORCED to use "standards" spelled out by others in the creation of their product.
4. The ECIS spokesperson claims that consumers are being denied a choice of browsers.

The implications of points one and two should be obvious to everyone; Microsoft is the big market share winner, Opera cannot compete in a free market, so Opera goes crying to the European courts for help and protection.  I have an idea.  Why don't they invest the time and money they will spend on this suit creating a better browser that can compete more favorably with Internet Explorer?

As for points three and four, who believes that any company should be forced to adhere to other's "standards" in creation of their product?  It is absurd and would crush the creativity it is supposedly designed to protect.  Microsoft, along with any other company, should be free to design its software any way it chooses.  If users and designers do not like it, they will avoid it and choose another product.  The ECIS spokesperson is way off base.  Consumers are not being denied a choice of browsers.  How do I know?  Well, as I write this, I'm using Apple's Safari browser on my Microsoft Windows Vista computer.  And, in other window, I'm running Firefox.  And, yes, I do have Internet Explorer and Opera installed, as well.  I use each browser for different tasks.

You have to question the motive and sincerity of anyone who would suggest that consumers are being denied a choice when Safari, Firefox, and Opera are all free and easy to download and install.  While you are at it, question the motive of a company that files a lawsuit because it is unsuccessful in competing in a free and open market.