Anti-competition investigations are being launched against Microsoft, including an analysis of the Internet Explorer browser, which is often used by broadband customers.

The European Commission (EC) will investigate whether the programme is unfairly tied to Windows and whether some software is in breach of regulations because it is inoperable with other products.

However, the commission issued a statement emphasising that the investigation is coming after complaints, not because of specific evidence:

"This initiation of proceedings does not imply that the commission has proof of an infringement," it said.

The company has already paid €778 million (£590 million) in European Union fines, after a landmark anti-competition ruling in 2004.

It was deemed illegal that Microsoft shut out rivals and tied audiovisual software to Windows exclusively.

Microsoft is expected to introduce Internet Explorer 8 later in the year, after the seventh edition of the programme caused problems with the internet on its launch in 2006.


Tuesday, 15th January 2008

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