European Union says Microsoft would release some code to rivals

European Union says Microsoft would release code to rivals

Microsoft has been under pressure from the European Union to come in compliance with the ruling, which found the software giant guilty of abusing its market position to harm the competitors. The courts levied a huge fine of USD 609 million on the company and instructed it to take certain steps, which would have made it easier for the competition to compete with the company.

One of the crucial requirements was to get Microsoft to release some code of the Windows Operating System crucial in developing integrated software to let the competitors develop better applications for the end user. The latest news in somewhat confirms that. EU has announced that the company has agreed to give some information to rivals for free and to end some restrictions on how the data can be used.

Microsoft is the developer of the Windows Operating System and controls more than 90% of the world’s desktop market share. This gives it immense powers to control what and how an application can run optimally on it. By bundling applications like a web browser and a media player, it has led to several companies suffer big time, as the users no longer found the necessity to try the alternatives.

By releasing some code from the operating system, the competing software companies would get to know the internals of the Windows Operating System, letting them develop better products. EU would be first discussing the deal with the software vendors to find out if the decision of the company is to their liking.

European Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes had this to say about the latest developments: “I remain determined to ensure that all elements of the decision are properly implemented. I am happy that Microsoft has recognized certain principles, which must underlie its implementation of the commission’s decision.”