The EU Decides Not to Go After Windows RT for its Browser Restrictions

gearing up to go after Microsoft for not implementing the “browser choice screen” in Windows 7. While Microsoft had complied to the policy with Windows XP and VISTA, they never did for Windows 7. While it remains to be seen what will happen there, the EU has decided not to focus on Windows RT. Earlier this year, Mozilla complained that RT was too closed and prevented browsers from taking full advantage of the new platform. Surprisingly, the EU decided it isn’t an issue. Here is what the EU’s head anti-trust official, Joaquin Almunia said about the issue: We have looked at Windows RT, and on the basis of our investigation so far, there are no grounds to pursue further investigation on this particular issue. But we will closely monitor all the elements of the Windows software and how Microsoft complies to [its] commitments. While this decision isn’t going to please Microsoft’s rivals in the browser world, I personally think it is a good move. Sure, RT might be a little more restrictive towards alternative browsers than traditional Windows – but it really isn’t any more restrictive than many other mobile platforms out. Microsoft isn’t the restrictive empire that it is sometimes painted out to be, and honestly the EU probably has bigger fish to fry these days. For some reason though, they still feel the need to send out the attack dogs when it comes to Windows 7, though. What do you think, should Microsoft be forced to open Windows RT up more to give these other browsers the same abilities and opportunities on the desktop mode of RT or is it largely a non-issue? [ source ]]]>