European Commission accepts Microsoft browser offer

The European Commission on Wednesday accepted Microsoft's offer to allow European computer users to choose rival Internet browsers, ending a decade-long battle with the US software company. The decision will mean that Microsoft, which has been fined a total of $2.45 billion to date by Brussels, will escape further financial penalties. The European Commission said Microsoft's legally binding pledge would satisfy concerns that the software company was breaking antitrust rules by bundling its Internet Explorer browser with its dominant Windows operating system. Microsoft has promised to offer PC-users a "ballot screen" that will allow them to chose from a number of rival browsers. The commitment will be valid in the European Economic Area for five years. If Microsoft breaks the commitments it has given, the European Commission can fine the company up to 10 per cent of its annual turnover. Microsoft will report on implementation of the measures in six months' time, and could make adjustments to the choice screen if the Commission requests it. Microsoft's Internet Explorer is used for about 56 per cent of global Internet traffic, followed by Mozilla's Firefox at about 32 per cent and Opera's 2 per cent, just ahead of Google and Apple's Safari, according to StatCounter, the web analytics company.