Google Accuses Microsoft of Using Anti-Trust Tactics with IE 7 Browser

[mandy]

In meetings beginning last year, Google told Microsoft of its objections to the company's plans to set MSN as the default search engine in Internet Explorer 7, according to Ms. Mayer of Google. Yahoo raised similar objections in a meeting with Microsoft last year, according to a Yahoo employee who was briefed on the conversation. Yahoo declined to comment last week beyond a statement: "We would be concerned about any company's attempts to limit user choice or change user preferences without their knowledge, and believe others would share that concern."

With its objections unresolved, Google took the matter to antitrust authorities in Europe and the United States during the last month. It is not clear what, if anything, will come of the talks or how far Google is willing to push the issue.

In Europe, where Microsoft is challenging an antitrust decision against the company for its past behavior, the European Commission has already made inquiries about Microsoft's plans for Vista. Though it is now distributing Internet Explorer 7 separately, Microsoft has long maintained that its browser is part of its Windows operating system...

full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/01/technology/01google.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2

[Kristijntje]

Update:  the DOJ OK'd IE7's default search box despite Google's objections

...the DoJ is apparently happy with Internet Explorer 7, as it has told the court responsible for overseeing the antitrust consent decree that the upcoming release of IE will not give Microsoft an unfair competitive advantage when it comes to Internet search...

According to the court filing, there were two critical factors in the decision to approve IE7's default settings.

First, changing the default search engine for IE7 is a trivial matter...

Second, Yahoo, Google, and every other search engine are free to negotiate deals with PC manufacturers to have their search engines set as the default...

full article: http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060514-6827.html