EU Drops Microsoft Antitrust Case; Huge Fines Spur Conciliatory Trend

The European Commission has dropped its antitrust case against Microsoft after the company agreed to offer customers a choice of up to 12 browsers.

The settlement calls for Microsoft to send a screen of browser choices to Windows consumers who use Internet Explorer as their main browser, according to the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.). The company will send users the choice screen through automatic software updates. The agreement covers a five-year period.

Legal experts say Microsoft is among several U.S. technology companies taking a more conciliatory stance to avoid European sanctions, according to the Times. Antitrust lawyer Susanne Zuehlke of Latham & Watkins noted the trend.

“These companies recognized that the European Commission is playing a significant role in global antitrust law and must be taken seriously,” she told the Times. “Of course, the huge fines recently have also focused everyone’s attention.”