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Did Google Tip Off EU About Microsoft Browser Ballot?

Posted by samzenpus on from the tattle-tail dept.

Dupple writes with a story about the latest in the Google-Microsoft feud. "The tired spat between Google and Microsoft just got a lot more interesting after reports that the search giant tipped off European authorities to antitrust concerns, a tip that will now cost the Windows-maker nearly a billion dollars. When news of the fine levied by the European Union's competition watchdog broke on Wednesday, nobody was too surprised that the European Commission was punishing Microsoft for bullying consumers. But with a recent headline-stealing dispute between the Redmond, Washington company and Google, it's competitor down in Mountain View, California, bloggers got curious. Early Wednesday evening, The Wall Street Journal's Tom Gara wondered, 'Did Google Snitch?' According to a Financial Times report published a few minutes later, the answer is yes."

8 of 187 comments (clear)

  1. Obvious troll by AmiMoJo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This story is an obvious troll. There was no need to "tip off" the EU, it was plainly obvious to everyone the browser ballot disappeared and the EU obviously monitors compliance with its rulings.

    Furthermore when did â500m before "nearly a billion dollars"? Someone can't do maths.

    --
    const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
    SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    1. Re:Obvious troll by Raumkraut · · Score: 5, Informative

      Not only that, but the article linked provides no actual background to how it is "known" that Google "snitched" - just an unsourced quote.
      A little digging indicates that the quote comes from a Financial Times article (registration required). Here are the relevant paragraphs:

      Brussels punished Microsoft for failing to give at least 15m consumers a choice of web browser - a violation of a voluntary antitrust pact that was spotted and raised by Google and Opera, according to several people familiar with the case.

      The US software group was left to police its own compliance and Mr Almunia said the lapse was brought to his attention by a Microsoft rival. According to people involved, Google and Opera informally provided the tip-off and helped investigators.

  2. Who cares? by sofar · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Microsoft were fined for a reason. Who cares that google complained? They make a browser... this is sooooo non-news.

    1. Re:Who cares? by shellbeach · · Score: 5, Funny

      Microsoft were fined for a reason. Who cares that google complained?

      I don't think you quite understand how the tech world has changed. With the rise of Android, iOS and OSX, Microsoft has become the new underdog. It's only right and just to give minority OSes your support when big corporate bullies try to take them down.

      Remember the love, people. When new items of hardware are released, make sure the question is asked here on /., "Sure, but can it run Windows??"

  3. Snitch? by nospam007 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    A competitor violates the rules to ruin a company and if you call the cops you are a snitch?

    Are you a gang member or just a moron?

    1. Re:Snitch? by MadKeithV · · Score: 5, Insightful

      It ruined no one by not having that list present

      It was illegal and a violation of the agreement that Microsoft themselves signed with the EU after Microsoft lost the browser bundling court case. That's all that matters. The EU said "you can't do that" to Microsoft, Microsoft fought it hard in court, Microsoft lost, Microsoft agreed to a specific remedy, Microsoft then violated that remedy, Microsoft gets fined to send a message to any company that might think it's not that big a deal to violate a legal agreement with the EU. Whether it was sensible or not doesn't matter - it is the Law, and as a company you cannot flip off the Law and expect to get away with it.

  4. So, doing the right thing is called "snitching"? by DNS-and-BIND · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Sad, sad, sad submitter. Reflects the intellectual poverty of one who has no other idea of this action than "snitching". The very word is negative and implies something is wrong with informing the authorities that Microsoft is breaking the law (again - what a surprise). Where did this even come from? Oh yeah, "snitches get stitches". Who created this meme? Oh yeah, drug dealers who wanted to intimidate the local population into silence. And now the media is going along with it without even thinking of the implications. Good job everyone.

    --
    Shutting down free speech with violence isn't fighting fascism. It IS fascism!
  5. Re:17+ months and the world didn't notice but Goog by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    I know for a fact it wasn't only, if at all, Google complaining about the missing ballot screen. I filed a complaint myself. I'd also be surprised if of all competitors Opera didn't file a complaint. The only thing I wonder is, whether my email with the complaint went directly to /dev/null. I've never received a reply.