is bundling a web browser in an operating system a violation of US antitrust law
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  is bundling a web browser in an operating system a violation of US antitrust law
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Question: is bundling a web browser in an operating system a violation of US antitrust law?
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yes
 
#2
no
 
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Total Voters: 11

Author Topic: is bundling a web browser in an operating system a violation of US antitrust law  (Read 2775 times)
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Miamiu1027
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« on: June 30, 2009, 02:02:14 AM »

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BRTD
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« Reply #1 on: June 30, 2009, 02:05:47 AM »

If the system was set up to disallow any other browsers from being used or installed maybe, but otherwise I don't see how.
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A18
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« Reply #2 on: June 30, 2009, 05:23:14 AM »

U.S. anti-trust laws are so badly-drafted and vague that they could literally cover just about anything.
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dead0man
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« Reply #3 on: June 30, 2009, 06:39:42 AM »

I read that Microsoft won't be including any browsers in the Win7s heading for Europe.
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BRTD
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« Reply #4 on: June 30, 2009, 10:46:30 AM »

I read that Microsoft won't be including any browsers in the Win7s heading for Europe.

So how do you get a browser then? You need a browser already installed to download one from the web, and burning a CD of one to get it isn't all that convenient.
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dead0man
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« Reply #5 on: June 30, 2009, 12:29:32 PM »

I believe the courts told Microsoft they couldn't sell an OS with Microsoft's own browser in it if they didn't include other browsers too.  (which is a little like saying you can sell a Ford, but it needs to have a GM radio in it)  So Microsoft went the easy route and just took theirs out instead of adding the competitions to their OS.

I'm sure Microsoft will make it easy to get the browser of your choice.  You don't need a browser to download things.

(I could be wrong, Google works for both of us)
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Miamiu1027
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« Reply #6 on: June 30, 2009, 03:20:52 PM »

I read that Microsoft won't be including any browsers in the Win7s heading for Europe.

yeah, I stumbled across that whole thing somehow last night and became interested in it.  it looks like they haven't been able to bundle Windows Media Player in the EU for a long time now.

re BRTD:  obviously this is a bit of a stress on consumers, who will probably be dumbfounded to find out that they can't access the internet with their new computers.  I think Windows and competitors will sell/give away CDs at stores that install a browser.
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Earth
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« Reply #7 on: June 30, 2009, 06:27:31 PM »

I wish my os didn't come with their media player. To answer the thread question; I don't believe it to be a violation of antitrust laws. Maybe if it prevents other browers from functioning, like Brtd mentioned.
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Vepres
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« Reply #8 on: June 30, 2009, 10:47:31 PM »

It is not. However, the fact that they have almost 90% of the PC OS market locked up is.
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Miamiu1027
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« Reply #9 on: July 01, 2009, 12:42:58 AM »

It is not. However, the fact that they have almost 90% of the PC OS market locked up is.

why should that be used as any sort of standard in competition law?
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officepark
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« Reply #10 on: July 01, 2009, 10:26:41 PM »

No, of course not.

Microsoft is a private company and Windows is their product. They should be free to bundle their browser if they so desire.
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Magic 8-Ball
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« Reply #11 on: July 03, 2009, 12:36:24 AM »

No, as long as the OS doesn't block the downloading of other browsers.
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