EU: Sources say Google snitched on Microsoft, but plan could backfire

The Financial Times and other media outlets are reporting that the $733 million fine issued to Microsoft by the European Commission earlier this week was the result of a tip-off from longtime rival Google. Microsoft, fined for breaching its previous settlement agreement with authorities to offer its customers a choice in Internet browsers, apparently neglected to include its “choice screen” – which the company promised to offer until 2014 – on products between February 2011 until July 2012. It’s an oversight that was only revealed when a third party complained about the issue; that third party, reports the Financial Times, was Google, which was working with Opera, a browser company in Norway. Google’s decision to call-out Microsoft, however, may bring difficulties to the search giant as it remains in the midst of its own case with the Commission for abuse of dominance claims. According to reports, the result of Microsoft’s fine may cause the Commission to develop stricter monitoring conditions on the companies with which it settles.

 

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