EU May Force Change in Microsoft Windows
欧盟可能强迫微软改变Windows 
  
Wed Mar 3, 2:03 PM ET
 By PAUL GEITNER, AP Business Writer

(中文导读)
微软可能面临比美国司法部反垄断制裁更严厉的处罚，因为欧盟预计将迫使这个软件业巨头为电脑制造商提供一套不集成任何多媒体程序的Windows系统，以便给竞争对手们更好的机会使其产品出现在用户的电脑桌面上。

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Going beyond Microsoft Corp.'s settlement of U.S. antitrust charges, the European Union (news - web sites) wants to force the software giant to offer computer makers a version of Windows without any multimedia program to give rival companies a better shot at getting their products on consumers' desktops, sources said Wednesday.

Such an order — expected this month barring a last-minute settlement — would be sure to be instantly challenged in European courts by Microsoft. The company insists removing its Media Player program would compromise other parts of its flagship operating system.

Taking out Media Player also could undermine Microsoft's long-term strategy of keeping Windows on top by incorporating new functions, which it argues benefits consumers.

Rivals from Netscape to RealNetworks have repeatedly challenged the practice as unfair competition.

European Commission (news - web sites) spokeswoman Amelia Torres refused to comment on specific remedies being sought.

But, she said, "the draft decision contains clear remedies to the identified illegal conduct, remedies which will restore a competitive marketplace for consumers in Europe."

A Microsoft spokesman also declined to comment on details, repeating only the company is "working actively with the European Commission toward an amicable settlement of this case."

The EU has already made a preliminary finding that Microsoft violated EU competition law by bundling its multimedia software into Windows, and by failing to provide competitors in the server market with enough programming code to allow their products to operate as well with Windows as Microsoft's own.

To resolve the first abuse, the draft decision sent to national regulators for review last month would require Microsoft to offer computer manufacturers two versions of Windows: one with Media Player and one without, according to sources familiar with the case, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The Commission, which conducted extensive market surveys a year ago, believes many manufacturers — and content providers — are uncomfortable relying solely on Microsoft and so rivals such as RealNetworks' RealOne player and Apple's QuickTime would get a better shot.

Microsoft could keep its Media Player in Windows products sold directly to European consumers, avoiding the difficulty of having to police what version is sold where.

Yet although the order woul

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